£4m Fund To Create 1,000 Jobs

NI's voluntary and community sector is to enjoy a boost with news of a job creation initiative.

The Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today announced funding for 1,000 jobs within a new scheme called 'Step Ahead’', which starts this month.

It is aimed at people receiving benefits who have been out of work for 30 months or more.

The jobs - which are being created to benefit voluntary and community organisations - will last for six months and could help up to 4,000 people who have suffered long-term joblessness.

Sir Reg explained that this was part of his Department's overall 'Steps to Work' programme and targeted people most detached from the labour market.

He said: "The introduction of this waged strand of 'Steps to Work' is in direct response to the economic downturn and the increasing numbers of unemployed.

"An additional 1,000 jobs will be a boost to the local economy at present, providing much needed employment to the people most affected by the current recession and benefitting local voluntary and community organisations," he explained.

The Step Ahead initiative will be funded by the Department and is expected to cost in the region of £4m.

The jobs created will be available across Northern Ireland and will pay at least the national minimum wage.

It is anticipated that this initiative will last up to two years or until the economy shows signs of recovery.

The Minister concluded: "I am determined to bring in measures to further help unemployed people and people who are economically inactive, during these difficult economic times.

"This will help prevent people who have been out of the labour market for an extended period falling even further behind when trying to access employment opportunities.

"It will help us to continue to build a sustainable and profitable economy," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)