East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long and Alliance Employment and Learning Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA have welcomed news of £300,000 of funding for an employment programme in East Belfast called Jobs4u. The scheme aims to help improve training and employability skills for people who are unemployed or economically inactive.
Naomi Long MP said: “This is a very positive development and I strongly welcome the announcement of this funding.
“Skills and training are vitally important as regards helping people gain employment and this scheme presents a real opportunity for people to become work ready.
“The Jobs4u scheme will help people gain the skills to enter the labour market. Jobs are scarce in the current climate and for those furthest from work is it crucial that we invest in preparing and training them to be competitive for the jobs that are available. This is exactly the type on initiative that is needed to help boost the economy. East Belfast has historically been a key driver of the Northern Ireland economy and I believe that it will remain so with the right investment in its people.”
East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, said: “The Local Employment Intermediary Service (LEMIS) has helped people into employment and I am extremely pleased that this new project will further complement the work of LEMIS.
“I also welcome the close collaboration of this scheme with community organisations in East Belfast as this will bring the benefit of the project direct to the local community.
“This important project is a positive example of Alliance delivering in government and has the potential to aid community development and economic growth in East Belfast.”
ENDS