'Bridge' recruits make an appearance in Court Service

The Department for Employment and Learning's Bridge to Employment Programme has teamed up with the Northern Ireland Court Service to secure the recruitment of a number of new Administrative Assistants.

Bridge to Employment has developed a customised training course to provide unemployed people and, in particular, long-term unemployed with the necessary skills to compete for these new employment opportunities within the Northern Ireland Court Service.

Trevor Long, Business Manager, Supreme Court, Belfast, commented: "I have had recent experience of new recruits who have come through the Bridge to Employment Scheme. I am impressed by the quality and attitude of these individuals and feel that the scheme offers us new staff who are better informed and are well prepared to take on their new posts."

One of the successful candidates, Suzanne McHale said: "I have been in my post in the Human Resource Department for three months now and the confidence and knowledge that the course has given me means that I can now look forward to further progression whenever the opportunity arises."

Trevor Russell, Training Services Branch, Department for Employment and Learning, said: "People who are unemployed typically find themselves in a "Catch 22" situation – can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job. This programme can help overcome this barrier by providing suitable training, the opportunity to apply for a job and attend an interview.

"Working in partnership with the Court Service, we developed a customised training course to equip unemployed applicants with the skills necessary to compete for these jobs.

"The end result was that the Court Service's recruitment needs were met by employing people who would otherwise be unemployed."