McCrea urges more help for young jobless in Lisburn

Speaking after the latest unemployment figures showed a rise of 7.5% in Lisburn in the last month, Mr McCreas said: “Every family in Lisburn knows some young person looking for work. The long-term effects of being out of work are serious. A year spent unemployed as a youth means that individual will spend one month unemployed every year until their mid thirties.

“The Executive must act to provide training and support for young people looking for work or risk losing a generation. Young people need experience to get a job, but can’t get a job without experience.”

He continued: “The Westminster Government has already committed £1 billion to address youth unemployment. England, Scotland and Wales already have schemes, but nothing has been done for young people in Northern Ireland.

“Costs to the Employment Services are changing. We need a step change approach as a one size fits all mentality will not work. We cannot go on with a tick-box mentality. People need practical advice and one to one mentoring.

“Anyone needing help with job applications or CVs can contact me. There are things that can be done, but help must be tailored to an individual’s circumstances.”