04/03/2011

BT Backs West Belfast Training

The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Danny Kennedy, has officially launched a joint engineering training initiative between BT and Springvale Learning in west Belfast.

Following BT's recent announcement of a £2.5bn investment in the rollout of 'superfast' broadband, Springvale Learning linked up with BT for the benefit of the unemployed.

The BT Telecommunications Engineering Training Initiative was developed using the Department for Employment and Learning's Steps to Work

The Minister said: "It is encouraging to see that even in this difficult economic climate Springvale has found a way to work in partnership with a high profile company like BT. Initiatives such as this provide opportunities for unemployed people to train for jobs in a fast growing high-tech sector.

"This is an excellent example of what can be done. I commend BT for its work in this area which demonstrates how companies can implement the corporate social responsibility agenda."

The Ulster Unionist Minister also paid tribute to the initiative displayed by Springvale Learning in working with BT and commented: "This is exactly the way we wish to see the Steps to Work programme operating, delivering jobs to meet the need of local employers and the unemployed."

(BMcC)

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