The number of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland trades should almost double during the next three years, the employment minister announced today.
Sir Reg Empey said he wanted to ensure 10,000 work-related courses by 2010 as he launched the new Training for Success initiative.
Although past steps to increase the number of young people in work have been criticised for low success rates, Sir Reg claimed this was a fresh start to eliminate exploitation.
"The difference is that if you go in through the new system you will be required to be in employment with a contract in most cases," the Employment and Learning Minister said.
"It is designed not to be open to exploitation but there will be workers' special provision for people with disabilities or other needs." Training for Success starts on September 3rd, 2007. It covers the cost of teaching apprentices and agrees pay with managers.
Sir Reg said: "The current number of 6,000 we are hoping to raise to 10,000 by 2010. It is very extensive and it covers every part of the country."
For those without an employer there is the Job-Ready program, which pays a weekly allowance of £40 and other expenses. It teaches interview skills, health and safety and information, communication and technology (ICT) for those looking for posts.
In July 2004 comptroller and auditor general John Dowdall published a scathing report into the employment department's handling of Jobskills, the predecessor scheme for those seeking employment. His team found over #485 million has been spent on the programme in Northern Ireland since 1995. The group said only 60 per cent of participants had found work.
A total of 40,000 students had won NVQs by March 2003, an achievement rate of 66 per cent, leaving a 34 per cent failure rate. A tenth of all trainees left after the first four weeks and of those who remained 40 per cent departed without achieving their qualification.