Apprentices help to shape a better workforce

20 June 2007

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

Located in their recently refurbished training workshops on the Springfield Road, Workforce has a long history of providing vocational training in construction trades, motor vehicle, care professions, catering and business administration for over 450 young people and adults from across Belfast.  The Minister presented an award to the top apprentice in each vocational area.

Sir Reg praised the contribution that Workforce makes to his Department’s Success Through Skills Strategy and added: “The pursuit of high quality provision across the training sector in Northern Ireland is a top priority for the Department.  Workforce and similar training providers have a vital role to play in servicing the training needs of local industry. They are also pivotal in the delivery of the Welfare Reform Programme and in particular in engaging with socially disadvantaged and marginalised young people and adults.”

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 vocational training provision and will replace the current Jobskills programme from 3 September 2007.

The Minister said:  “Training for Success will be delivered as part of the Success Through Skills Strategy and when it commences it will focus on quality, flexibility, progression and employment.  I recognise the importance and challenge of providing training that allows young people to become job ready and create a workforce that is fully trained, adaptable and equipped to meet the business challenges of the 21st century.”

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 in excess of 450 trainees on its training programmes.
  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 028 9025 7872.