A NEW programme aims to propel participants towards sustainable employment, further education or training.
WorkChoice, a collaboration between Choice and Bryson FutureSkills, will work by providing practical work-based and accredited learning that are aligned with individual aspirations.
The first phase of the sixmonth WorkChoice scheme will see eight tenants complete the full OCR level 1 Employability Skills training while taking up paid ‘hands on’ roles within Choice’s Property Services, Services Centre, Finance and ICT departments.
Brian McKenna, Choice Group Director of Governance and Communications said:
“A central focus for Choice has been our drive to support people into real jobs and to build employment skills and experience. Our ‘WorkChoice’ programme, in partnership with Bryson Charitable Group, is grounded in the age-old truth that the best way to get a job is to be in one.
“We have recruited a number of previously unemployed tenants to work across our operations for a minimum of six months with a commitment to create longer-term opportunities both within the association and with like-minded employers.”
The learning and development programme is managed and supported by Bryson FutureSkills’ experienced employability skills team.
Cathy Wilson Bryson FutureSkills Employment and Development Manager added:
“WorkChoice has been a success in helping people gain training and new skills which are essential to help them find their way back into the workplace.”
“The participants will leave the programme with an OCR Accredited Employability Skills Qualification from Bryson FutureSkills, as well as transferable work skills and invaluable experience gained from working as an integral part of a team.”
Meanwhile, a software development company is to create 100 new jobs in Belfast by the end of 2019.
The positions are a result of the Oregon-based company, Unosquare, choosing Belfast as the location of its new engineering centre, and will offer an average salary of £37,000.
Announcing the new investment Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive, Alastair Hamilton said: “The company has two other engineering centres in Mexico but has chosen to open this latest centre in Belfast due to the availability of a strong pool of software engineers and our ability to offer support towards securing the project for Northern Ireland.
“The company uses innovative technology which will not only enhance the technical capability within Northern Ireland, contributing towards the expansion of our ICT sector, but will also give experienced software developers new skills and exposure to new technology.”