A walk in the park for pupils as they take action in great outdoors
A new skills programme, backed by Belfast City Council, is helping children develop their outdoor know-how. Belfast City Council has been working with the Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association (NIFSA) to develop the 12 week outdoor learning and participation course. The programme is in line with the council’s aim to encourage children to be active...
Farry, Foster and O’Dowd laud new ICT skills plan
The Department of Employment and Learning has launched an ICT Action Plan to address future skill needs of the sector. The plan brings together a range of actions which have been identified by employers as being central to addressing the skills needs of the ICT sector. Within that DEL will be piloting a Higher Level...
North West 200 sets standard in new volunteering opportunities
The organisers of the North West 200, Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, have launched a new development strategy which they hope will secure the future of the event. Thanks to support from Volunteer Now – the lead organisation for volunteering in Northern Ireland – the event is aiming to secure an Investing in Volunteers Award....
Careers centre moves to Saturday opening hours
A new scheme to help unemployed – and employed – people find the right career launches in Belfast tomorrow (July 21). The pilot scheme, announced by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry, extends the opening hours of the Careers Resource Centre at Ann Street. The Minister said: “Careers guidance is often viewed as...
Youngsters show how to get smart with Get Started training programme
A successful programme run by The Prince’s Trust is giving Northern Ireland young people an insight into jobs within the creative industries. Almost three-quarters of the 40 participants on the Invest Northern Ireland-backed Get Started project are now working, in training or in education, according to the Prince’s Trust. Get Started targets 16 to...
I want to be an apprentice: what should I do?
Apprenticeships are a great way to kick-start your career and the apprenticeship model of on-the-job training can be applied to a different types of jobs, from hairdressing to IT and plumbing. Northern Ireland’s range of six regional colleges offer a wide range of courses for apprentices, which are combined with on-the-job training. But there...
No better time for job schemes
The Belfast Telegraph are to be congratulated on the excellent initiative to promote apprenticeships in Northern Ireland through their ‘100 jobs in 100 days’ campaign. It has created a platform for businesses – from all parts of the economy – to highlight the value of apprentices. Yet the reality is that Northern Ireland does...
Apprenticeship schemes vital in fight against youth unemployment
Apprenticeships are essentially subsidised on-the-job training in a professional work environment. As youth unemployment levels ballooned in recent years, governments in many countries, including the UK, have looked to the apprenticeship model as one method of keeping young people connected to the labour market. Apprenticeship schemes can provide employers with a healthy stream of...
Nicholas takes the right road to success
Belfast Metropolitan College student Nicholas O’Hagan has gained employment with Northgate Managed Services after completing their Apprenticeship Scheme. The scheme offers school leavers, young people and those out of work the opportunity to develop a career within the ICT sector. The 18-month ‘earn while you learn’ programme is targeted at school-leavers or those who...
South West College celebrates yet another top class year for management scheme
THE technology and skills centre of South West College has hosted a Celebration of Success evening for the latest group of apprentices who completed the NVQ Level 3 Apprenticeship in Management programme at the College. Over 30 newly qualified managers received their certificates on the night, which was testament to their hard work and...