OVER 300 unemployed people in East and South Belfast will benefit from a new job skills programme.
Launched by the First Minister, participants in the ’Rapid Impact Programme’ will benefit from gaining new skills, training and work experience opportunities and a guaranteed job interview at the end of their placement.
Welcoming the initiative Peter Robinson said:
“I commend GEMS NI, Penna Consulting and Bryson FutureSkills on this innovative and imaginative approach through the Rapid Impact programme which will help people find employment.
“The Executive places the utmost importance in improving skills and supporting people to find employment. Our recently announced £200million Economy and Jobs Initiative will provide a significant boost to the economy in Northern Ireland and provide employment, particularly for our young people and those who have been out of work for long periods.
“We want everyone to be equipped with the skills to strengthen our economic growth and for everyone to be able to benefit from programmes such as this.”
Also attending the launch was Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry. He said:
“This pro-active initiative to sourcing employment opportunities will complement the existing Steps to Work provision in South and East Belfast. As announced as part of the Economy and Jobs Initiative, my Department will be providing two new strands of Step to Work leading to almost 3,000 job opportunities targeted at those in two of the groups that have been hardest hit by the economic crisis.”
In other news, figures released this week show that Northern Ireland full-time weekly private sector earnings increased by 2.0% over the year compared to 1.5% in the rest of the UK.
Gross weekly earnings for all NI employees (full and part-time) increased by 1.6% over the year. Earnings in the UK increased by 1.3% over the year.
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said:
“It is pleasing to note that gross weekly earnings have increased over the year to April 2012 and at a slightly higher rate than in the UK. Whilst this is encouraging it is recognised that in order to reduce further the pay gap that exists between NI and the UK, as well as promoting economic recovery, the private sector requires more highly paid jobs.
“Supporting the economy in Northern Ireland to enable a move towards more productive and high paying jobs remains a key priority for my Department and Invest Northern Ireland. This can only be achieved by continuing to make Northern Ireland an attractive place for investment and improving our export performance. This in turn depends on increasing productivity, competitiveness and innovation along with a sound skills base.”