£2.2 million impacting the lives of over 160 people - Fearon

Junior Minister, Megan Fearon today welcomed the significant progress being made to support people west of the Bann into employment.

Pictured (L-R) are: Marcus Devlin, SIF participant from Strabane, Junior Minister Megan Fearon, Sandra McGonagle, SIF participant from Enniskillen and Joyce Coulter, SIF participant from Omagh.

During a visit to the Social Investment Fund Work Ready West project in Enniskillen, the Junior Minister saw how the project is helping people in Fermanagh, Omagh, Limavady and Strabane find permanent paid work.

Supported with £2.2million of Executive funding, the project is providing 160 long term unemployed people aged 24 and over with paid employment and training opportunities.

Junior Minister Fearon said: “Getting people into jobs is no easy task but the Work Ready West project has proved to be a real success.  The project is delivering for local people and this investment is really making a difference. Already it has worked with 160 people, and delivered 112 full time and 48 part time placements.  As a result, 29 people are now employed or self employed.

 “It’s also more than just headline figures; families and the wider community are benefitting from the personal and professional development this initiative provides people with.”

The Minister added:  “Work Ready West is a great example of how local people, working in tandem with the Executive, can make a real and tangible difference for the better.

“The Executive has invested £80million to Social Investment Fund projects across the North and these are improving the skills, talents and opportunities many people need to reach their full potential. Together, we are improving people’s lives and making a better society for everyone in the North.”

The Work Ready West project is managed by Strabane District Caring Services and delivered by Customized Training Services.  It will run until August 2017.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Social Investment Fund is part of the Executive’s Delivering Social Change framework.  The framework is set up to tackle poverty and social exclusion. It aims to deliver a sustained reduction in poverty and associated issues across all ages and to improve children and young people’s health, well-being and life opportunities thereby breaking the long term cycle of multi-generational problems. For more information, visit the Social Investment Fund section.
2. Media enquiries to The Executive Office press office on 028 9037 8256. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press office via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.
3. Follow us on Twitter @niexecutive.

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