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Trainees help to shape a better workforce

4 June 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today presented awards to the top trainees from Workforce Training Services.

Located on the Springfield Road, Belfast, Workforce has a long history of providing professional and technical training in construction trades, motor vehicle, care professions, catering and business administration, for nearly 400 young people and adults from across Belfast in their recently refurbished training workshops.  The Minister presented an award to the top trainee in each vocational area.

Sir Reg praised the contribution that Workforce Training Services makes to his Department’s Success through Skills Strategy, and added: “Training organisations such as Workforce are pivotal in the delivery of the Department’s Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland. I know that Workforce has had considerable success in providing high quality training in this community for the past 30 years, and has forged strong links with local schools and employers.”

Workforce Training Services is one of 53 training providers throughout Northern Ireland who have recently been awarded Training for Success delivery contracts.   Training for Success is the Department’s new professional and technical training provision.

The Minister said: “By seeking to engage people in employment and training, and through your hard work in developing links with employers, Workforce is making a valuable contribution to increasing employment prospects of young people in the community and to the wider skills needs and sustainability of the Northern Ireland economy in the coming years.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. Workforce Training Services Ltd. (WTSL) was established in 1978, originally under the name of Clowney Youth Training Programme to provide training for young people in West Belfast.  Workforce Training Services was adopted in 1990 following an amalgamation of Clowney and Fallswater Youth Training Programmes.  
  2. Workforce Training Services currently has nearly 400 trainees on its various training programmes, which include the Department for Employment and Learning’s Training for Success provision.
  3. Workforce Training Services has recently moved into a new £2million training centre on the Springfield Road.
  4. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on Belfast 028 9025 7872.
  5. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.