Transport Employment Academy Offers Training In Belfast

Belfast residents looking for work are encouraged to put themselves in the driving seat of their career by signing up for the Transport Employment Academy.

Designed in partnership with the council and transport employers across the city, the free training programme gives participants the licences, tests and other skills needed to embark on a career in the industry.

Every participant who completes the employment academy will be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to gain work with employers from the haulage industry and others that include Belfast City Council and Translink.

Anyone who is currently out of work or working less than 16 hours a week is encouraged to attend one of the informative events scheduled over the coming weeks for a chance to gain details on the types of jobs on offer and an understanding of what transport sector employment and self-employment entails.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor John Finucane said: "As we've outlined in the Belfast Agenda, we want to see everyone in Belfast fulfil their potential and support people to get into employment. The transport sector is vital to our city's success and provides a wealth of opportunities for both employment and self-employment – so we've given this Academy a great deal of thought with our partners, and as a result, it provides excellent, practical and specialist support to people interested in working in transport."

Gordon Milligan, Translink's Deputy Chief Executive and Chief HR and Corporate Services Officer added: "Translink is delighted to be working alongside Belfast City Council in supporting this innovative Transport Employment Academy. Public transport is the lifeblood of our city, touching the lives of everyone in the community, and we're glad to be able to support this project, encouraging those seeking a career in the transport industry to get on board' with us as we continue our journey towards making public transport 'first choice for travel' for everyone in Belfast."

The Academy also provides support for medical fees, Access NI fees where required, theory support and tests, practical lessons, test fees, licencing fees, travel and subsistence, Certificate of Professional Competence – as well as support with application forms and interview skills, where appropriate. Participants must live in the Belfast City Council area to be eligible.

There will also be information provided on Employment Academies on offer in the childcare, childminding, construction, hospitality, leisure, playwork and social care sectors.

Details of the events are as follows:

Tuesday 10 September 2019

• 10.30am-12 noon, Crescent Arts Centre

• 1.30pm-3pm, Skainos Centre

Thursday 12 September

• 10.30am- 12 noon, Conway Mill

• 1.30pm-3pm, Crumlin Road Gaol



(JG/MH)