THE Youth Employment Scheme is helping young people gain employability skills and secure jobs, according to the Department of Employment and Learning.
Davy Doyle, the Department’s employment service office manager for Newry, said: “With more young people finding themselves in a Catch 22 situation where they can’t land a job because they don’t have experience, we need to find more creative ways to help our young people into work.
“A young person claiming Jobseekers Allowance can go on a YES work experience placement without their benefits being affected. During the work experience they’ll be given the chance to try out a range of tasks in a real work situation.
“The emphasis is on providing them with an opportunity to sample the world of work, develop employability skills and give work-related experience for use at future job interviews to demonstrate these skills.
“Employers highly value these skills as they are used in a range of workplace settings.”
Liam Hearty from Belleeks has recently been on the scheme with Halfords in Newry.
He said: “This work experience is proving invaluable to me — I have learned many new skills and gained real experience. I am more confident going forward that I will find a job and I would encourage other young people to get involved in these types of initiatives.”
Karen Ross, manager of Halfords in Newry, said: “Liam has benefited from a wide range of training on his work placement at Newry Halfords store including audio fitting and bicycle repair. He has integrated into the team here and indeed has excelled in customer service and interaction which is what we pride ourselves here in the Newry store.”
If you are a young unemployed person and would like to avail of work experience opportunities contact your local JobCentrecall 0300 200 7822 or visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/yes.