Chris Lyttle MLA said: “This package is good news for the Northern Ireland economy. It will help give waged opportunities for 1,700 people, help those long term unemployed and provide £40 million worth of support to the construction sector
“The Minister for Employment has made improving the skills of our workforce a top priority and this package will allow him to target both young people and those over 50 who are unemployed. He will be able to provide wor opportunities to those who need trainng and expierence to ensure that they have the skills that employers are looking for.
“I particularly welcome the 500 additional undergraduate science, technology, engineering and maths related places that have been created and that are essential to growing an innovative knowledge based economy.
“A highly skilled work force is key to job creation and ensuring that we are attractive to investors. We need to make sure that the skills they have matches the needs of the economy.
“The Minister has also launched an implementation plan to target 29 important areas of research including labour mobility and the skills and qualifications of employees. This shows his commitment to economic recovery by ensuring that people are best placed to increase our output.”