ENERGY generator SSE Renewables, in partnership with social enterprise the Workspace Group, has launched a new education and training programme funded from local wind energy to support employability in the Mid-Ulster area.
The ‘Learning for Life’ skills fund will invest £75,000 over five years in a range of training and employment skills programmes delivered by Workspace through its training and employability company Network Personnel.
The fund will see Workspace and SSE Renewables partner to support the ongoing provision of learning, training, education and employment initiatives for young people and individuals in Draperstown and the surrounding communities.
The skills fund will operate alongside the existing SSE Airtricity Community Fund, which has supported almost 600 community led projects in the areas around their wind farms, as well as the SSE Airtricity Scholarship which has supported over 150 local students pursuing third level education.
SSE Ireland chair Mark Ennis said “We always seek to make a sustainable difference to the rural communities where we operate, and through our Community Fund we have contributed £2.3m to local organisations.
“This new fund will give even more people the opportunity to benefit through a range of training and employability programmes, which will help build capacity, tackle rural isolation, and increase employment opportunities.”
Georgina Grieve, chief executive of the Workspace Group, added: “The skills fund will help us increase the positive impact we've already been able to bring to people by providing training and support to help them gain employment.”
