Belfast Council Creates Ten Apprentice Placements

Belfast City Council has announced a new apprentice scheme which will provide 10 places, as well as a further 16 paid work experience opportunities for university students.

Lord Mayor Alderman Gavin Robinson and chair of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Deirdre Hargey, were joined by Education and Learning Minister Stephen Farry MLA, to launch the scheme.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Hargey and Mr Farry jointly called on all employers in the city to look at imaginative ways to help young people and long term unemployed back into work.

The Lord Mayor said: "I believe it is vital that we, as a council, play our part in equipping our young people so they can make the most out of the future ahead. As a city, a skilled and talented workforce will be our greatest asset, yet opportunities are often scarce. I hope that today's announcement is the first step in creating a successful future for our young people and all of us."

Councillor Hargey said the political parties agreed unanimously a year ago that the council would support the city's young people and long-term unemployed.

"We are focusing on delivering opportunities for all, particularly young people who have been affected by the downturn and need help to get their foot on the ladder," she said.

"We set ourselves a target of delivering 110 job opportunities in year one of the investment programme. To date we have delivered 156 permanent and 63 temporary job opportunities and over 200 placements.

"Today, we are launching a drive to recruit 10 apprentices for periods of between three and four years, including seven craft posts - for fleet technicians, electricians and painters - and three gardeners.

"We are also providing 16 paid one-year placement opportunities for university students studying in fields such as event management, building control, communications and human resources. In addition, 40 long-term unemployed people are currently undergoing a pre-employment support programme, and they will have the opportunity to compete for five Business Support Clerk positions at the end of the process.

"On top of that, we are providing ongoing placement opportunities through the Steps to Work Programme, Programme-led apprenticeships, the Youth Employment Scheme and the Graduate Acceleration Programme. And in February, we also launched the £300,000 Belfast Bursary Fund to help 16-25 year olds into employment, education and training – applications are now open on a first-come, first-served basis."

The closing date for applications is Thursday 28 March.