Axing ofapprenticeship schemes ‘short-sighted’ says former Mayor

This will take effect from the end of August. Mr Heading, former Mayor of Lisburn said: “It is incredibly short -sighted to cut apprentice training schemes in a recession. With our economy on the rocks and unemployment at its highest level in decades, government should be providing more schemes to re-integrate people into the labour market rather than cutting programmes which re-skill and equip people to have a greater chance of employment.

“In the Dunmurry area so many people feel alienated and hopeless. With harsh welfare cuts on the way and the collapse of many of our local independent retailers, it is more important than ever for these apprenticeship schemes to be available to people of all ages.

“I urge the Executive to re-consider their decision to axe these programmes and to do more to train people to help them get jobs.”