Council Announces Jobs Boost

Belfast City Council today announced a major new apprentice scheme with 10 places available, together with details of 16 paid work experience opportunities for university students.

The announcement by Lord Mayor Alderman Gavin Robinson and chair of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Deirdre Hargey, who were joined by Education and Learning Minister Stephen Farry MLA, is particularly significant given last week's news that unemployment has reached its highest level in 15 years.

It was also revealed that since the launch of its Investment Programme (2012-2015) last February, the council has delivered 156 permanent and 63 temporary job opportunities and over 200 placements.

And the Lord Mayor, Councillor Hargey and Mr Farry jointly called on all employers in the city - public and private - to look at imaginative ways in which they can play their part to help young people and long term unemployed back into work during these difficult times of economic recession.

The Lord Mayor said: "I believe it is vital that we, as a council, play our part in equipping our young people so they can make the most out of the future ahead. As a city, a skilled and talented workforce will be our greatest asset, yet opportunities are often scarce. I hope that today's announcement is the first step in creating a successful future for our young people and all of us.

"Our unprecedented rates freeze means these posts and the education and training opportunities have been created at no extra cost to our ratepayers.

"Leadership across the council has focused our resolve, despite a constrained economy in the face of recession, and we are committed to playing our part to widen opportunity across the city.

"At the same time, we continue to improve and maintain our services and have committed to delivering our £150 million investment programme with the next two years, providing physical investment and support for the economy, people, communities and neighbourhoods."

Welcoming the Council's work in developing job and training opportunities, Dr Farry said: "I applaud the achievements of Belfast City Council which through their Investment Programme is developing skills and improving access to employment.

"The economy is the key Executive priority and people are one of the main drivers. Employers have an important role to play by creating jobs and opportunities and facilitating work placements. Belfast City Council has today demonstrated how they are contributing using innovation and creative thinking.

"The Council has been working closely in partnership with my Department to provide these work placement and job opportunities in this difficult economic climate. I urge other employers across the city to follow suit and to work in partnership with my Department to achieve similar outcomes."

(CD)