Business

Employment scheme takes its first steps

The Department for Employment and Learning's new Steps 2 Success employment programme has been officially launched across the northern region.

It is being delivered by EOS NI and is designed to support job-seekers to find and sustain employment.

The programme also supports the needs of employers by giving them access to suitable, job-ready candidates for their vacancies.

Employment and learning minister Dr Stephen Farry attended the launch at the Employment Training Centre in Derry and met with employment advisers, programme participants and local employers to see at first hand how the programme is being delivered.

He said: "Steps 2 Success is my department's new employment programme to support job-seekers by improving their employability skills and providing assistance to find and sustain employment.

"The programme provides a major change in the way we help people, focusing on providing more flexible support for individuals' needs and their barriers to work by offering each job-seeker a bespoke, personalised plan tailored to their needs, work experience and job goals.

"The key aims of Steps 2 Success are to support those most in need, regardless of employment barriers, and build a programme that can adapt to changes in the economy and the needs of clients and employers."

EOS NI managing director Tina Mc-Kenzie said: "We see helping the unemployed to find work as essential, not just for the economy but for the wider society.

"It is now our job to provide a bespoke service to each Steps 2 Success participant to ensure they achieve their job goals and move into sustained employment.

"Our approach is to work with local employers to identify their current and future staffing needs, existing skills gaps and challenges in sourcing quality candidates.

"This informs our face-to-face work and the training and development of potential candidates."