The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland for the period June – August 2005 was 4.6% of the total workforce. In Fermanagh, 35% of those are long-term unemployed. Employee jobs account for 86 per cent of the total number of jobs in NI. Jobs density is defined as the total jobs in an area divided by the resident working age population. In Fermanagh, the jobs density in 2005 is 0.72. (Labour Market Statistics, NI)
New Deal is a major element of the Government's Welfare to Work strategy. All New Deals start with an interview with a New Deal Personal Adviser who supports the client throughout his or her time on the programme. During this interview the clients skills, experience and job hopes are discussed. Any gaps in skills or knowledge are identified and the New Deal Personal Adviser may suggest extra help to get the client ready for work, such as support to develop self confidence.
The New Deal Personal Adviser helps clients into work by tailoring the support available through New Deal to their individual needs and circumstances. This support can include subsidised employment, work experience with employers, training and help with essential skills.
New Targeting Social Need (New TSN) Strategy “Making it Work” sets out how NorthernIreland Departments will work together to tackle social disadvantage. New TSN aims to tackle social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and available resources within Departmental programmes towards people, groups and areas in greatest social need.
Other initiatives include:
Jobskills- To provide young people in the target group with the skills which will enable them to secure and progress in employment.
Bridge to Employment- To provide unemployed people with the opportunities to compete on an equal basis with others for new jobs created through inward investment and expansion of NI companies.
Enterprise Ulster– for unemployed people who are not yet eligible to participate in the New Deal, including people who are economically inactive.