Kickstart Your Skills academy returns to empower local job seekers

Derry and Strabane Labour Market Partnership has partnered once again with Derry Youth and Community Workshop to deliver the exciting Kickstart Your Skills programme which is designed to enhance employability for participants across the Council area.

The exciting new programme, now in its second year, aims to empower individuals and give them the confidence and skills to become informed, independent job seekers.  

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.

Kickstart Your Skills will develop comprehensive skills amongst those who are currently out of work, through the provision of individual employability pathways and wraparound support which is designed to help move them closer to their employment, education and training goals.

The programme will offer both one-to-one training, support and mentoring as well as work placements and work shadowing, all designed to support unemployed residents from a diverse range of backgrounds and for a variety of role levels.

Labour Market Partnership Manager, Nicky Gilleece, said she was delighted to launch the academy and was excited to see the positive effects the programme could have for participants.

“We are thrilled to launch this exciting new programme and are delighted to be partnering with Derry Youth and Community Workshop who bring their skills and expertise to the delivery in the community.

“This programme is designed to meet participants at their point of need and address individual barriers to employment by providing tailored, wraparound support and training. From entry level right up to graduate level, participants will be given the skills, qualifications and most importantly, the confidence to ensure positive interview outcomes.”

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Encouraging people to sign up for the programme, Orla Crowley from Derry Youth and Community Workshop said:  “We are delighted and proud to be delivering the Kickstart Your Skills programme on behalf of the Labour Market Partnership and look forward to working closely with partners and participants to deliver meaningful impact across the community in the Derry and Strabane council area.”

For further details on the programme and to check eligibility, contact Derry Youth and Community Workshop  orlacrowley@dycw.co.uk and  lisamchugh@dycw.co.uk  or telephone 02871268891.