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Home arrow News arrow Department for Employment & Learning has provided funding for up to 1,000 fixed term jobs
Department for Employment & Learning has provided funding for up to 1,000 fixed term jobs Print E-mail

Are you a voluntary/community organisation or Social Economy business?  Want to get a Step Ahead?

The Department for Employment and Learning has provided funding for up to 1,000 fixed-term jobs within the Voluntary and Community Sector or Social Economy businesses across Northern Ireland through its Step Ahead initiative.   

What is Step Ahead?
Step Ahead was introduced by the Department for Employment and Learning  in direct response to the economic downturn, giving the Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Economy businesses an opportunity to help long-term unemployed people move back into work. 

 The good news is that funding is provided to undertake at least one short course while on Step Ahead.  These can include courses such as IT Skills to Basic Food Hygiene.  What kinds of jobs can Step Ahead participants perform?
To date, over 100 jobs have been advertised in various occupational areas including administration, environmental work, catering, childcare, youth work and maintenance positions. Remember - it doesn’t have to end there.Who can I contact for more information?
The Step Ahead programme is for a limited time. If you are interested contact your local Steps to Work Lead Contractor.Area Contractor Contact No
Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Dungannon South West College 028 8224 5433
Foyle, Lisnagelvin * Rutledge Joblink 028 7137 0300
Coleraine, Limavady, Magherafelt, Cookstown Network Personnel 028 7963 1032
Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Carrickfergus,
Larne TWL Training
 028 9446 7791
Lurgan, Portadown, Armagh, Newry Wade Training 028 3833 7000
Lisburn, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Ballynahinch, Downpatrick, Newcastle People 1st
 028 9030 3986
Bangor, Newtownards
 South Eastern Regional College 028 9127 6827
Holywood Road, Knockbreda, Shaftesbury Square TWL Training
 028 9031 5919
Falls Road, Shankill, Andersonstown Springvale Learning 028 9024 2362
North Belfast, Newtownabbey North City Training 028 9074 5408*New Deal in Foyle contract area


Client Experience
Michelle is employed as an Administrative Assistant in Lower North Belfast Community Council Advice Services.  Having been unemployed since 2002, Michelle had become unsatisfied sitting at home and was keen to get back into work.  When she found out about the Step Ahead role at Lower North Belfast Community Council Advice Services, she immediately made an appointment to meet with her Lead Contractor, North City Training.  Michelle was one of the first participants to secure a Step Ahead job and has been in her role since November 2009. 

 “Being out of work for such a long period can dent your confidence.  When you are working you feel like you are doing something worthwhile.”  Michelle is working towards becoming a Welfare Adviser and is currently participating on the Welfare Rights Adviser Programme with the support of her employer.  Having contact with the organisation’s clients provides her with valuable experience of the various welfare issues that affect people and how they can overcome these.  She enjoys the daily interaction with clients and co-workers and is also looking forward to undertaking an Accredited Course through Step Ahead.

Michelle is keen not to go back on to benefits and is constantly considering future job opportunities.  She feels Step Ahead has improved her job prospects as she says that when applying for jobs “it looks better when you already have a job!”