Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has launched a further roll-out of the Skills to Succeed campaign highlighting the importance of skills and qualifications for individuals, employers and the economy.
He said: “Skills are widely accepted as the key raw material in the modern knowledge-based economy and are a key driver in how we achieve our economic goals.
“The Skills to Succeed campaign aims to raise the skills level of the whole workforce, to ensure we are equipping people with the skills and qualifications that they need to achieve their full potential and to support our local businesses and the economy.
“No matter what stage you are at in your career, whether starting out and making initial careers choices or deciding to upskill or reskill to improve your employability and career prospects, skills are vital at all levels and throughout everyone’s working life.”
The Skills to Succeed campaign will highlight a number of initiatives including the Youth Employment Scheme, Apprenticeships and Essential Skills, all of which include real local people who have benefited from skills training. Ryobi Aluminium Castings engineering apprentice Gareth Harkness is featured in the apprenticeship campaign. Gareth said: “I did well at school and I wanted to get out in the workforce and start earning. An apprenticeship was the smart way for me to achieve this.
“While at Northern Regional College I learnt new and innovative techniques in the use of modern robotics, computer aided design and control panels. With the help of Ryobi Aluminium Castings I am able to further develop and integrate this learning to production techniques.” Gareth’s achievements to date were recognised recently, when he was crowned Apprentice of the Year 2014.
Michelle Lavery, a young mother from Newtownards who features in the Essential Skills campaign, said: “Essential Skills has played a pivotal role in my life. The Essential Skills maths course helped me gain new skills and confidence in working with numbers.
“I have been able to use this new skill to help my children with their homework. Classes are small and personal plus you can learn at your own pace.”
Information on the Skills to Succeed campaign encouraging the public and employers to find out what programmes and assistance is available on http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills or by calling 0300 200 7876.