Caught in work experience trap

Pictured are Rosemary Quinn, Employment Service Office Manager for Ballymena Jobs & Benefits, Michael Blair and Ross Armstrong who are on YES work experience placements with Donnelly & Taggart and Economic Development Officer Jacqueline Reid from Ballymena Borough Council.

Now, employers and young unemployed people in Ballymena are being urged to say yes to YES - the Youth Employment Scheme.

Staff from the Department for Employment and Learning will be holding a Youth Employment Scheme (YES) information event at The Braid, Ballymena, on Thursday 10 October 2013 between 12:00 and 14:00.

Local employers are encouraged to attend from 12:00 until 13:00 to find out more about YES. Employers with current YES opportunities are encouraged to remain until 14:00 to meet with young people invited to discover what YES can offer them.

Rosemary Quinn, Employment Service Office Manager for Ballymena Jobs & Benefits office says: “With more young people finding themselves in a catch 22 situation where they can’t land a job because they don’t have experience, we need to find more creative ways to help our young people into work. A young person claiming Jobseekers Allowance can go on a YES work experience placement, continue to receive their Jobseekers Allowance and get an additional top-up of £15.38 per week.”

Also available is the Skills Development programme which is a work placement that lasts up to six months, combined with skills training. Participants on the Skills Development programme receive a training allowance equivalent to their benefit entitlement plus £45 a week plus a performance bonus of £250 on achieving their agreed training.

Jacqueline Reid, Economic Development Officer at Ballymena Borough Council, said: “Employers are the lifeblood of this Scheme. Only through committed employer participation will its benefits be realised. “

Michael Blair, who participated on the Scheme with local car dealer Donnelly & Taggart, said: “I am more confident going forward that I will find a job with my new skills and experience and I would encourage other young people to get involved in these types of initiatives.”

If you are a young unemployed person and would like to avail of work experience opportunities please contact your local JobCentre/Jobs and Benefits office, call 0300 200 7822 or visit http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/yes

Any local employer who may have any queries or require further information regarding the Youth Employment Scheme should contact Donna Atkinson on 028 2563 7104, [email protected] or a member of the YES team on 028 2563 7084, [email protected]