Youth Employment Scheme (YES) Work Placement Event Launches In Bangor

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry is urging Bangor employers and young unemployed people to say yes to YES, the Department for Employment and Learning's (DEL) Youth Employment Scheme.

Staff from DEL's Employment Service, working in partnership with the local business community and community and voluntary sector, will be holding a YES work placement event at Kilcooley Community Centre, Owenroe Drive, Bangor, on Thursday 13 November 2014 between 9.00am and 4.00pm.

Local employers are invited to find out more about the benefits YES can bring to their business. Young people are invited to attend to discover how they can benefit from the opportunities the Scheme has to offer to enhance their future employability prospects. Young people will also be able to talk face to face with employers in attendance with a view to obtaining a work placement opportunity at the event.

The Youth Employment Scheme is a voluntary programme for young unemployed people aged between 18 and 24. The Scheme offers young people the opportunity to develop basic job search skills such as CV building, application writing and interview skills. YES also offers work experience opportunities lasting from three to eight weeks across all sectors, allowing participants to experience the world of work and develop employability skills.

The Minister said: "With 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 gain the vital experience they require by taking part in my Department’s Youth Employment Scheme.

"During the work experience participants will 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 the work related experience to help secure a job in the future. Young unemployed people are encouraged to participate in YES and avail of work experience opportunities on offer."

(CD)