New scheme maps out road to new job

The project aims to support the return of long term unemployed and young people to the workplace.

One of the first of its kind in Northern Ireland between a Housing Association and a skills Training Provider.

Staff from both organisations issued a call for all those who want to enhance their skills, avail of employability training and gain relevant work experience to attend the six information sessions which take place across Belfast in the coming weeks.

A series of training workshops over thirteen weeks will provide career coaching and will lead to an accredited Employability Skills Qualification upon successful completion.

Those who take part in the programme will receive impartial careers advice and guidance, an in-depth assessment, a personal training plan and work mentor. Helm Housing Association will then provide a number of ten-week work placements for successful candidates on completion of the training. On the job experience will include areas such as customer service, construction, maintenance, administration and others.

Speaking at the launch, Sheila Taylor, NeighbourhoodManager at Helm Housing said: “The difficulty in accessing training and work experience can be a barrier for many people who are long term unemployed and who wish to return to the jobs market. Journey2Jobs has been designed in conjunction with Bryson FutureSkills to help those seeking employment gain training and valuable work experience.

“The programme will give participants better employment prospects, hands on learning and hopefully an improved health and wellbeing too. We look forward to welcoming the candidates to the Helm Housing team in the near future.”

Cathy Wilson from Bryson FutureSkills added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Helm Housing to provide a wide range of work experience opportunities throughout the Greater Belfast area.”

Initial workshops where participants can drop-in to express their interest run from 12-2pm in Belfast from Jan 14-28.

The training workshops begin in February and last for 13 weeks before participants enter their ten work experience until July.

For more information on the scheme visit www.helmhousing.org or contact the Employment Team at Bryson FutureSkills, 02890 745408. You can find details on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelmHousing and on Twitter at @HelmHousing.