Minister Annouces Funding for 1000 Jobs
Sir Reg Empey, Northern Ireland's Minister for Employment and Learning today (1st October) announced funding for 1,000 jobs within the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. This new initiative, called 'Step Ahead’ starts this month and is aimed at helping those who have been unemployed for at least a year and a half and are currently receiving benefits. The jobs will last for six months and could benefit up to 4,000 long term unemployed over two years.
Sir Reg explained that this was part of his Department's “Steps to Work” programme and targeted at people most detached from the labour market. He said: “The introduction of this waged strand of ‘Steps to Work’ is in direct response to the economic downturn and the increasing numbers of unemployed. An additional 1000 jobs will be a boost to the local economy at present, providing much needed employment to the people most affected by the current recession and benefiting local voluntary and community organisations.”
The Department of Employment and Learning will be funding the scheme, which is expected to cost in the region of £4million. The jobs created will be available across Northern Ireland and will pay at least the national minimum wage. The number of opportunities available in an area will be in direct proportion to the level of working age benefit claimants within it. The Department expects that these opportunities will encompass a broad range of work types and skills. It is also anticipated that this initiative will last up to two years or until the economy shows signs of recovery.
The Minister concluded the announcement of the new scheme by saying “I am determined to bring in measures to further help unemployed people and people who are economically inactive, during these difficult economic times. This ‘Step Ahead’ will help prevent people who have been out of the labour market for an extended period falling even further behind when trying to access employment opportunities. It will help us to continue to build a sustainable and profitable economy.”