Local Stakeholders Give View on Employability Issues

May 23, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was delighted to partner with the Department for Communities (DfC) to host a pre-consultation event to discuss future priorities for DfC regarding employability.

Local stakeholders attended the event to give their views on how the DfC could help them fill vacant posts and ensure people stay in jobs.  Each stakeholder participated fully and provided the DfC with points that are important to them and the local Lisburn Castlereagh economy.

Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, speaking about the event, said: “This event was very beneficial for local employers as it provided them with the opportunity to speak directly with the civil servants involved in developing employability programmes and services.  They gave feedback on their experience from participating in government funded programmes and suggested ways in which they would like to see central government help get people back to work.

“There are a wide range of businesses in the Lisburn Castlereagh area all of which require a skilled and willing workforce.  These businesses are keen to work with employees and central government to ensure that employability figures increase in the Council area.”

At the end of the consultation period DfC will establish a Work, Health & Wellbeing Framework that will support the development of a fresh suite of business led programmes and services, responsive to local business needs whilst at the same time supporting people to move into good work and to stay in work.

Aidan Cassidy from DfC’s Work & Wellbeing Policy Division, commented: “We greatly appreciate the contribution of all those who attended and took part in this discussion.  The views shared will be important to help us ensure the Department continues to deliver high quality work focused support and programmes that are meeting the needs of both job seekers and employers.”