Youths Urged To Join Up To Apprenticeship Scheme

Derry City and Strabane District Council is urging young people aged 16 – 24 to consider the option of 'earning as you learn' by gaining qualifications while working in full-time employment through its Apprenticeships Scheme.

The initiative aims to offer an alternative to further education and make young people aware of the industry placements available to them locally that allow them to ‘get paid, get qualified and get ahead’.

The Apprenticeships offer hands on experience in a wide range of industries and roles including Customer Adviser placements at BT, Hairdressing at RoCo and manufacturing and engineering positions with Terex and DuPont.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle, said he was pleased to discover the numerous success stories from young people who have decided to stay in their home towns to upskill while working in full-time jobs.

He said: "I'm delighted to launch this initiative and want to congratulate all of the young people who have already taken up apprenticeship roles with businesses in the Council area.

"We want to highlight to young people in the City and District that there are many advantages to staying at home.

"Our youth add vibrancy to an area and if we encourage more of them to move into apprenticeship roles it can help the economy grow which is to the benefit of everyone.

"I look forward to seeing more school leavers availing of the opportunity to join apprenticeship programmes which will provide them with training and skills that they can carry throughout their working lives."