Young People Urged To Attend JobStart Event

Young people aged 16-24 have been urged to explore new career opportunities with over 30 employers at the upcoming JobStart event at 2 Royal Avenue.

Belfast City Council and the Department of Communities have worked in partnership to host the free event, designed to provide useful information on Employment Academies, self-employment, the Gateway to Choices (G2C) service and Conditions Management Programme.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: "Our JobStart event is all about helping young people in Belfast who are at risk of long-term unemployment or struggling to get a job.

"That's a key priority in our Belfast Agenda – and part of our employability and skills programme, #TakeTheNextStep. The event also showcases our Gateway to Choices Service (G2C) – which is connecting people to jobs and training through a free app and trained team of advisors.

"We've been delighted with the response from employers, and I'd like to thank all the businesses and support organisations that have signed up to attend. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of young people get into employment thanks to today's event." Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons said: "My Department is committed to improving employment opportunities for young people and today's event shows how both young people and employers are benefiting from the JobStart scheme.

"It is positive to see so many opportunities for young people to choose from as a starting point in their career. It is especially pleasing that a number of NI Civil Service positions are on offer for those young people who face additional barriers to entering the workplace.

"The event has been supported by front line colleagues from my Department's Jobs and Benefits Offices whose advice and guidance to young people ensures they receive the proper support to move into employment."

The diverse roles on offer spanned administration, childcare, customer service, distribution, health and social care, hospitality, logistics, marketing, sports coaching, transport, videography, youth work and warehousing.

For more information on Belfast City Council's range of employability and skills support go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/employability and www.belfastcity.gov.uk/employmentacademies #TakeTheNextStep