07 May 2008
Robinson takes a shine to 'Gems NI' at Tullycarnet
The Finance Minister visited the GEMS NI Community Job Club today at Tullycarnet in East Belfast.
The Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA was fulfilling a promise made recently to return to see at first hand the work carried out at the Hanwood Centre to help local people find employment.
GEMS NI advises and supports economically inactive people living in the South and East Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.
Four professional guidance counsellors work within the community to help people who do not access traditional job finding services. The team focuses on improving employability in the area by providing access to employment and personal development and training.
Mr Robinson said:
“I have been very impressed by the dedication of GEMS staff in providing assistance to residents of the Tullycarnet area who have been disadvantaged in the labour market.
“They are making a positive contribution to the regeneration of an area and community which has had much experience of deprivation. This is where the funds that have been allocated to Departments in the 2008-2011 Budget can be seen making a real difference to the lives of people on the ground.
“Initiatives such as this underscore why the Executive is focussing so heavily on building the economy. We want to create the necessary skills base to help Northern Ireland compete more effectively in the global marketplace, thereby generating greater wealth for our society. Northern Ireland is an ideal location for foreign direct investment. I want all of our citizens to be trained and equipped to play their part in our economic regeneration by being able to compete for higher value jobs. No one can afford to be left behind.”
Notes to editors:
- GEMS NI at Tullycarnet has received £195,360 under the Scheme during the period 1 October 2006 to 31 March 2008. A further extension of funding to 31 August 2008 has recently been agreed.
- GEMS came into existence in 2002 as a Belfast City Council initiative, then known as the Gasworks Employment Matching Service, to promote employment in the Gasworks and Laganside areas. In 2006 GEMS NI came into being with a province-wide remit dedicated to the promotion of social inclusion and employment.
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