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A positive step into employment

27 February 2008

Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today announced that the Steps to Work initiative will be extended to those aged 18 to 24.

This pilot initiative, initially targeted at those aged over 25, aims to help people overcome the obstacles which prevent them from finding work.  It is planned that Steps to Work, which to date has been available to four Jobs & Benefits office areas, will be delivered province-wide from 1 September 2008.

A key feature of Steps to Work is personalised support and guidance from a specialist trained adviser to draw up a plan to help the unemployed or economically inactive overcome the difficulties they face getting into employment.  

This support will provide, in a flexible way, the opportunity to gain a work related qualification, meaningful and relevant experience of the work place through high quality job placements, assistance with improving essential skills, or if required, help with developing the skills needed to search for a job.

Speaking during a visit to Carrickfergus Jobs & Benefits office, the Minister emphasised that Steps to Work will help to ensure that employment opportunities become a reality for people who have been out of the active labour market and who wish to return to work.  He said: “In seeking to address current high levels of economic inactivity and in looking towards the future requirements of local employers, my Department recognises that there is a clear need to encourage more people to become “active members” of the workforce.  

“Steps to Work has, therefore, been developed and expanded to help those not in paid employment to find work, which can include voluntary participation by those in receipt of a wider range of benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support.  It is also available to those who are not working and not in receipt of benefit who may need to update their skills to enable them to rejoin the workforce.”

He concluded: “I am encouraged to see that in the Carrickfergus area, major employers such as Tesco, Woodsides and the Co-Op, are providing employment opportunities through Steps to Work, which will help to equip individuals with the necessary skills which they and employers need to compete in a global economy.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.Key featires of Steps to Work include:

  • accessibility to all benefit claimants and economically inactive non-benefit clients including returners to the labour market - individuals do not need to be in receipt of benefit to join the programme;
  • the ability of Incapacity Benefit and Income Support claimants to remain on their benefit while participating on Steps to Work;
  • a strong emphasis on employment outcomes

2.Steps to Work began in April 2007 in four Jobs and Benefits office areas, namely: Limavady, Lisburn, Knockbreda and Shaftesbury Square and has recently been expanded to include the Magherafelt and Carrickfergus office catchment areas.  

3.For media enquiries contact the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on (028) 9025 7872.

4.Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.