THE First Start initiative is paying dividends for long term unemployed young people.
Already over 100 18 to 24 year-olds have been helped towards permanent employment by the scheme which provides them with supported waged employment lasting for at least 26 weeks.
First Start, which was introduced in November 2012 as part of the Executive’s Economy and Jobs Initiative package, is a strand of the Department for Employment and Learning’s flagship Steps to Work programme.
Aileen McAlinden, Job Mentor with People 1st, a Steps to Work lead contractor said: “First Start is a fantastic new addition to the Steps to Work programme, it has allowed People 1st to provide paid job opportunities for young unemployed people who have been most affected by the economic downturn. It has given young people the extra help that they need to get a paid job and make the move off benefits.”
Chris Hazley, a First Start employee currently working under the initiative at The Kitchen’ café in Lisburn, said: “First Start has worked for me, it has given me the opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do and it has allowed me to get a paid job and get off benefits.”
At a recent meeting with some of the young people participating on the scheme Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “My Department is committed to helping unemployed young people find and sustain employment and this new initiative seeks to achieve this. First Start provides young unemployed people waged employment for six months, giving them a chance to kickstart their careers. Programmes such as this help boost the number of jobs available exclusively for our young unemployed.
“I want to ensure that young people who are currently disengaged are provided at the earliest possible stage with the skills to gain jobs. These projects are designed to ensure that no-one is left behind and that we build opportunities for all our young people, particularly those in areas of deprivation right across our community. The initiative also provides employers with short term support to encourage them to recruit unemployed young people into permanent employment.”
Further information on the First Start initiative can be viewed at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/stepstowork
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Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry announced that over 100 young people have already been helped towards permanent employment through the First Start initiative. The Minister met with First Start participant Chris Hazley who is employed under the programme at The Kitchen Cafe in Lisburn city centre
The First Start initiative is paying dividends for long term unemployed young people.
Already over 100 18 to 24 year-olds have been helped towards permanent employment by the scheme which provides them with supported waged employment lasting for at least 26 weeks.
First Start, which was introduced in November 2012 as part of the Executive’s Economy and Jobs Initiative package, is a strand of the Department for Employment and Learning’s flagship Steps to Work programme.
Aileen McAlinden, Job Mentor with People 1st, a Steps to Work lead contractor said: “First Start is a fantastic new addition to the Steps to Work programme, it has allowed People 1st to provide paid job opportunities for young unemployed people who have been most affected by the economic downturn. It has given young people the extra help that they need to get a paid job and make the move off benefits.”
Chris Hazley, a First Start employee currently working under the initiative at The Kitchen’ café in Lisburn, said: “First Start has worked for me, it has given me the opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do and it has allowed me to get a paid job and get off benefits.”
At a recent meeting with some of the young people participating on the scheme Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “My Department is committed to helping unemployed young people find and sustain employment and this new initiative seeks to achieve this. First Start provides young unemployed people waged employment for six months, giving them a chance to kickstart their careers. Programmes such as this help boost the number of jobs available exclusively for our young unemployed.
“I want to ensure that young people who are currently disengaged are provided at the earliest possible stage with the skills to gain jobs. These projects are designed to ensure that no-one is left behind and that we build opportunities for all our young people, particularly those in areas of deprivation right across our community. The initiative also provides employers with short term support to encourage them to recruit unemployed young people into permanent employment.”
Further information on the First Start initiative can be viewed at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/stepstowork
