Hanna praises role of New Deal in securing jobs

A report on the New Deal for 18-24 year olds has revealed that the scheme has made unemployed people aged 18-24 more likely to find a job or secure a place in education and training.

The research, published today by the Department for Employment and Learning, found that unemployed young men aged 18-24 in Northern Ireland are now 20-25% more likely to get a job than they were before the introduction of New Deal in 1998. Moreover, unemployed young women are now 40-50% more likely to get a job.

These changes mean that there are fewer long-term unemployed young people aged 18-24 in Northern Ireland now than before New Deal. Previously, one in nine unemployed young men would not have found a job or an education and training place within a year of becoming unemployed. Now the figure is one in twelve. For young women, one in eleven would not have found a job or moved into education and training within a year of becoming unemployed before New Deal. Now the figure is one in twenty.

Welcoming the research findings, Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning, said: "The figures from this research are most encouraging and I will continue to support measures to help young people into work, education and training. Widening access and social inclusion will also continue to be the foundation stone on which we can and will build a stronger economy and better future for all." (CL)