New Service for Carrickfergus Economically Inactive Launches to Combat Unemployment
Carrickfergus Enterprise to deliver Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service on behalf of Enterprise NI
A new service aimed at engaging Carrickfergus’s most economically inactive people was launched recently by Enterprise NI and Prince’s Trust.
The new service, Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service (NIEESS), is set to run until March 31, 2025. It will offer anyone across the country including Carrickfergus, considered economically inactive the ability to develop their entrepreneurial and employability skills.
This project has received £1.8m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is set to target around 1200 individuals aged 16 and above.
Carrickfergus Enterprise will deliver the programme to the Carrickfergus area to improve enterprise, interpersonal, and employability skills of those taking part, helping them improve their marketability as a candidate and ultimately become self-employed or find a job.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s 2022 (NISRA) Labour Market Report found that people who are economically non-responsive made up around 28.3% of the 16-64 age group between April – June 2022, meaning that over a quarter of the eligible working population weren’t working at all or looking for work.
Michael McQuillan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland said: “We are very excited about the new service and how it puts the citizen at the centre of a range of support, connecting them with the right support at the right time.
“In doing so, we feel our partnership with Prince’s Trust NI and teaming up with our Local Enterprise agencies will ensure citizens throughout Northern Ireland experiencing the barriers of economic inactivity will have the opportunity to make personal and positive strides in their lives.”
By encouraging out-of-work individuals to develop themselves both personally and professionally, the aim of the service is to boost the economy by helping participants become economically active.
NIEESS is aimed at individuals who have been out of employment for a minimum of four weeks and those who are currently unable to start a new position due to everything from a lack of transferable skills to an inability to engage with the job market due to personal circumstances.
For information on how to sign up to the Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise go to https://www.enterpriseni.com/pages/pre-start or call 028 7776 3555
