Local TD
and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed
the announcement that free educating and training places are being provided for
up 6,500 people who are long-term unemployed. The MOMENTUM programme is a new
Government initiative, which has been launched by the Minister for Education,
Ruairí Quinn TD, and the Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán
Cannon TD.
“Creating job opportunities, particularly for the long-term unemployed, is a key aim for this Government. We are completely rebuilding what was a broken economy, and a crucial part of this process is ensuring that our workforce has the right skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow. These 6,500 new education and training places are particularly focussed on giving jobseekers across Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Palmerstown access to opportunities,” said Fitzgerald.
“Under this initiative, a huge range of programmes will be provided by 36 education and training providers in the public and private sector. They will be spread right across the country, and will focus on the expanding employment areas of ICT, digital media, healthcare and social services, the green economy, food processing and sales and marketing.
“The courses will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed, using international best practice to suit the Irish context. For younger jobseekers, a range of activation projects will also be available for those aged under 25 to help them get into the workforce.
“Creating job opportunities, particularly for the long-term unemployed, is a key aim for this Government. We are completely rebuilding what was a broken economy, and a crucial part of this process is ensuring that our workforce has the right skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow. These 6,500 new education and training places are particularly focussed on giving jobseekers across Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Palmerstown access to opportunities,” said Fitzgerald.
“Under this initiative, a huge range of programmes will be provided by 36 education and training providers in the public and private sector. They will be spread right across the country, and will focus on the expanding employment areas of ICT, digital media, healthcare and social services, the green economy, food processing and sales and marketing.
“The courses will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed, using international best practice to suit the Irish context. For younger jobseekers, a range of activation projects will also be available for those aged under 25 to help them get into the workforce.