Retailers Help Tackle Dole Queue

The Co Armagh dole queue has been tackled this week with news that the NI Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, has launched a new programme aimed at addressing unemployment in Craigavon by providing job opportunities in the retail sector.

The ‘Passion for Retail’ programme, which has been developed through the Department’s Steps to Work Programme, is the result of a partnership with Craigavon Borough Council, Rushmere Shopping Centre and Wade Training, and seeks to assist unemployed and economically inactive people gain work experience and retail skills.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: "This initiative is an excellent example of how public and private sector working can cooperate to provide solutions to the current unemployment situation, whilst also equipping the local workforce with skills for employment within the retail industry.

"My Department’s Steps to Work programme addresses the very real difficulties faced by many of those who are out of work, by helping to improve their prospects of gaining and sustaining employment and I am very optimistic that the ‘Passion for Retail’ project will add to the figure of over 8,500 ‘Steps’ participants who have found work through the programme," he said.

The ‘Passion for Retail’ programme comprises of an initial two week ‘Get Ready for Retail’ course, which will prepare 22 participants for interview, provide training on customer service, health and safety and teamwork, before the participants’ 13-week job placements.

A number of well known High Street stores - H&M, Sainsbury’s, Currys, Homebase, Dunnes Stores, Debenhams, Yumo and O’Briens - have agreed to take part in the project and those participants who complete their placement will have the opportunity to attend an interview with view to progress into employment.

Dr Farry continued: "It is particularly important that a partnership approach is taken with employers and I would encourage employers across all sectors - private, public, community and voluntary - to become actively involved in the Steps to Work programme.

"By offering quality work placement opportunities, employers can play their part in enabling those without work to maintain existing skills or, indeed, develop new skills with which to enter back into employment," he added.

The Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Alan Carson, said: "Passion for Retail is a fantastic opportunity for any unemployed young person in the Borough who wants a career in retail to gain relevant experience and training.

"It is heartening to see this unique project that has been driven by Craigavon Borough Council come to fruition. The partnership between Council, Wades Training, Rushmere Shopping Centre and the Department of Employment and Learning is a great example of private sector and public bodies working together to drive new opportunities for both our employers and our young people. I wish Passion for Retail and those young people every success and I look forward to hearing of its further development."

(BMcC)