Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership Helps Residents Secure Work, Upskill or Retrain

Are you looking for a new job? Perhaps you’re looking to retrain and upskill or get help to access work opportunities.

Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership aims to promote Newry, Mourne and Down as a great place to work, support people to access that work, and provide the relevant skills for vacancies now and into the future. In the last financial year (2022-23) it helped 85 participants across the district secure employment, with 250 local employers engaging with the process and over 2000 people attending employment pathway events.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work. And with a new set of work and training opportunities now open for applications in Newry, Mourne and Down, some of those already helped by the Partnership have spoken out about their own life changing experiences.

Several participants took part in employment academies delivered by training organisations, helping them gain the relevant skills required to secure a job. Warrenpoint resident, Terry Hepburn, said he was extremely nervous when applying for the Transport Academy and when granted a place was not sure he would succeed. However, through the information sessions and interview process, Terry had the opportunity to chat to the staff at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Workforce Training and felt assured that there would be the appropriate support in place to help him achieve his ambition of achieving a HGV licence. Although he found the theory tough, he successfully passed and furthermore impressed his instructor by passing his practical test first time. Fast forward a few months from when Terry applied for the academy, he has achieved his Class 2 HGV licence and gained full time employment.

Terry said, “I had real confidence issues when applying for the academy but Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership along with Workforce made me feel at ease and ensured I got the support required to achieve my HGV licence. I am now working full time with Savage and Whitten and I am absolutely loving it. The first few weeks I was assisting the driver and learning the job but now I am out on my own doing a variety of routes and seeing parts of the country I have never seen before. I can’t recommend the Academy enough, it’s the best thing I have ever done”.

The Chef Bootcamp Academy delivered by Southern Regional College gave candidates the opportunity to gain industry relevant qualifications, work experience and move a step closer towards a career as a chef. Newry resident David McCaul was placed with local employer Killeavy Castle for two to three days per week for the duration of the four-week programme. David was made aware of the Chef Bootcamp programme through his Jobs and Benefits work coach in Newry and joined the programme as he was interested in gaining catering skills. On completion he successfully secured a permanent position with Killeavy Castle in their farm shop. David said, “I was delighted with the Chef Bootcamp programme and feel my confidence levels have risen. I’m now looking forward to further developing my butchery and customer service skills.”

One of those taking part in the Classroom Assistant Academy was Charlene Mathers, from Newry, which promised to unlock new skills for Charlene and equip her with classroom support knowledge.

She said, “I embarked on my professional journey in retail and catering industries, but deep down, I knew my true calling lay in childcare. Just when I was uncertain about the next steps, this thrilling opportunity delivered by People 1^st revealed itself. Thanks to the invaluable advice and encouragement I succeeded in securing a position at a local Newry school. Now, I am totally immersed in the nursery environment, providing vital support to two incredible young children with ASD. The sense of fulfilment is immeasurable, and the overall experience of the programme has been extraordinary. The support proved to be invaluable for my success and I am eternally grateful for the life-changing opportunity provided by the Council.”

Another participant from Newry on the Classroom Assistant Employability Academy, Laura Harland, had previously been working part-time while struggling to find a suitable online course to help achieve a suitable childcare qualification. It was a tough time, but the programme changed everything. Laura said, “I am proud to say that I work as a SEN classroom assistant at a local Newry Grammar School, supporting two learners with very different special educational needs. The role involves a variety of tasks, including helping them understand challenging work, ensuring attendance and participating in class activities. I love working with the students and gaining valuable experience that I can use to make a difference in their daily school life. It's amazing how far I've come in such a short time, and I can't wait to see where this job takes me. A big thank you to Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership and People 1^st.”

The Partnership also runs an Access to Work initiative, including a Work Start Pre-Employability Programme delivered by Clanrye Group. Participant Alona Jaroslavska from Bessbrook, experienced many obstacles whilst engaged on the Work Start Programme including language barriers, limited opportunities, family life and childcare requirements. However, Alona’s positive mindset helped her achieve a successful outcome, securing employment within the 12-week programme at Dolce Vita Pizza. Alona said, “I enjoyed taking part in the programme and it shows you can achieve your goal no matter what challenges you face.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said, “I would like to congratulate everyone who has taken part in one of the Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership programmes. Three themes were identified for Newry, Mourne and Down: Access to Work, Skills for Work and A Place to Work. Whether you have retrained or upskilled into a new role, or gained access to employment, I’m pleased it has been a positive experience for so many of you.

If anyone thinks they could benefit from the support offered, please check out this year’s programmes. Thank you also to all our partners, including the Department for Communities, and all the employers and training organisations and regional colleges who engaged with the Labour Market Partnership.”

Details of upcoming Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership initiatives for 2023/2024 are available at https://www.newrymournedown.org/skills-and-employability