Archived News
March 2010
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership (GSAP) launches new Support Centre to provide Kickstart to Work, Family Support and Learner Access services
Staff and Board members from GSAP and DLSP with former Mayor, Cllr Paul Fleming.DSD Neighbourhood Renewal match funding has allowed the Kickstart to Work Programme to complement its existing service by increasing its outreach work in neighbourhood renewal areas. The Kickstart service in the Outer North NRA can now be accessed in a new support centre which houses Kickstart along with Leaner Access and Family Support Services.
Speaking at the opening of the new Support Centre Ciara Ferguson, Project Manager of GSAP said “The new outreach service will enable local residents, particularly those who are unemployed to gain advice, information and support in accessing employment, training or educational opportunities. We feel that the location of the Kickstart, Learner Access and Family Support services ‘under the one roof’ will help to ensure that local people receive a more holistic and joined-up service. ”
September 2009
LSP “Helping People into Employment” success story
Despite the current economic downturn and rise in unemployment, people in Derry are getting the opportunity to participate in paid work that will assist them to secure suitable experience and employment, thanks to an initiative, entitled “Kickstart to Work Programme”, that is being delivered by Derry Local Strategy Partnership (LSP) through Derry City Council.
The programme, follows on from the success of the previous Intermediary Labour Market (ILM) programmes, and is delivered with funding under the EU Competitiveness and Employment Programme – Priority1.
The “Intermediary Labour Market Programme” acts as a bridge between unemployment and the world of work by negotiating a suitable employment 50-week paid work placement to meet the needs and aspirations of the individual.
At present a total of 31 individuals are participating on the ILM programme all of whom have secured placements within the private, local government and community sectors. Championing the initiative is Ryan from the city who is presently participating in the ILM programme through a work placement in the Tower Hotel. Ryan believes that the programme has already helped him gain the necessary experience to move into an area of employment, which will hopefully help him in gaining other diverse skills to remain in full-time employment.
“The Kickstart to Work Programme has opened doors for me and provided the opportunity to explore areas of work which I had previously not considered. Through the ILM programme I took up a placement with the Tower Hotel where I am receiving tremendous support and encouragement from both my ILM Support Officer and the Hotel Staff, as well as fantastic paid work experience. The experience I will gain, both personally and through training, will help me enormously.”
Employers participating in the programme have also a lot to gain from the initiative. Mr Simon Hanna, General Manager of the Tower Hotel, said he is pleased to be participating on a programme, which as well as helping individuals move into meaningful employment, provides employers with opportunities to employ and train enthusiastic people who are keen to learn about various work and employment opportunities.
He said:
“as a progressive organisation, we are delighted to provide such a worthwhile opportunity to someone who has been seeking employment. In this current economic climate, this initiative helps both participants and local employers to address the needs of the area and assist in some way in overcoming the unemployment situation in our city at present.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about the programme should contact – insert name and contact details and website link, if one is available.
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Further press information can be obtained by contacting Derry City Council’s Marketing and Communications Section, Tel. 028 7137 6504.
August 2009
Kickstart Outreach Service delivery in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas
As a result of DSD Neighbourhood Renewal funding the Kickstart to Work Programme is restructuring its current delivery arrangements to subcontract the outreach service to neighbourhood renewal areas in order to compliment its existing outreach service. This will promote a greater sense of ownership of the project and will optimise the benefits of working closely with community sector organisations, which have a track record of engaging harder-to-reach groups. Two new Mentoring & Employment Officers have been appointed, one for the TRIAX Neighbourhood Renewal Area (NRA) and one for the Outer North NRA. The Waterside and Outer West NRAs will continue to receive the Mentoring and Employment service on an outreach basis.
June 2009
KickSTART Pre-Employment Programme with Firstsource hailed a success
The Kick Start to Work Programme and Firstsource teamed up with the North West Regional College recently to encourage people to get involved in a specifically designed pre employment programme.
Delivered in the college over a one- week period the programme involved relevant training targeted at the contact centre sector. The one-week course highlighted the benefits of getting back to paid work and supported participants in developing their selection interview techniques. The programme also incorporated a tour of the Firstsource organisation and culminated in a guaranteed interview with Firstsource.
In the initial roll out of the programme a total of 20 Kickstart participants attended formal interviews with 16 successfully receiving job offers from the organisation.
Catherine Cooke, Co-Chair Derry Local Strategy Partnership (DLSP) the organisation charged with delivering the Kickstart to Work scheme commented:
“We are delighted with the success of this initial programme which demonstrates the efficiency of targeted training, honing skills of participants to make them suitable candidates for employment. We were delighted that Firstsource participated in this programme and hope that this will be the first of many success stories to come."
8th April 2009
Mayor welcomes DSD Neighbourhood Renewal funding announcement
The Mayor Councillor Gerard Diver today, Wednesday 8th April, welcomed Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie to the city as she unveiled details of match funding for a range of employment programmes for the city. The projects are partly financed by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning under the Northern Ireland ESF Programme 2007-13
One of the programmes set to benefit from the Department of Social Development Neighbourhood Renewal fund is the Kick-start to Work initiative, which is being delivered by the Derry Local Strategy Partnership.
Other recipients include North West Centre for Learning and Development, Triax, Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership and Cresco Trust Ltd.
Speaking about the Neighbourhood Renewal contribution towards these projects Minister Ritchie said: “I am pleased to be able to support these very worthwhile projects. Their collective aim of reducing economic inactivity and increasing workforce skills is a welcome boost to the people in the North West.
"I want to target resources in a way which has maximum impact and I want to work with communities to achieve that. These organisations at the heart of the community will offer invaluable services to local people most affected by the economic downturn at present. All 5 project recipients will offer a wide range of services primarily directed at helping people regain employment."
Margaret Ritchie went on to say; “This is a major investment in Neighbourhood Renewal areas where there are higher than average rates of unemployment. Alongside making financial help available, I want to promote the values of self reliance and social responsibility and today’s funding announcement will help that happen for these local communities.”
Speaking after the funding announcement, the Mayor said that it is important that such schemes are supported, particularly in this current climate of economic downturn.
"The projects will target the long-term unemployed and economically inactive residents in the Neighbourhood Renewal areas of Derry. The projects are set to identify those most disadvantaged within the labour market and provide additional support on top of that offered by mainstream agencies. May I take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution by the DSD in funding these projects and wish everyone every success in rolling out these programmes."
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