BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

The Western Social Investment Fund (SIF) Zone steering Group which comprises of the Council Areas of Strabane, Omagh, Limavady, Fermanagh identified the Work Ready West (WRW) as one of its Strategic priorities.

The lead partner of the project is Strabane District Caring Services (SDCS) who will manage the project on behalf of OFMDFM Western Social Investment Zone and the service delivery organisation will be Customized Training Services, Strabane (CTS)

Work Ready West will complement existing unemployment initiatives by providing a wage- based employment and training opportunities for 160 unemployed individuals within the Western zone throughout the 3 years of the Programme. The project is designed to assist people find jobs and help them stay and progress in employment, or be better equipped to compete in the labour market following placement.

Work Ready West will also support proposals for business innovation or business start up ideas by obtaining expert advice and providing financial support towards salary during the early stages of development subject to assessment of same.

Eligibility Criteria for Participants

Participants must be:

• Aged 24+
• Unemployed for 12 months or more
• Living in the Western Zone (super output areas)

*please note a participant can only participate on the project once over the lifespan of the project.

GUIDELINES

These guidelines provide a summary of the programme, an overview of the eligibility criteria, information on how to make an application to become a Placement Provider for participants on the Work Ready West Programme, and explains what happens next with your expression of interest.

The project will target and select participants for across the Western Zone. Participants may be signposted to the Project from a range of organisations within the Western Zone. However preference will be given to long-term unemployed living within the top 10% Super Output Areas (SOA’S).

The WRW project will provide participants with job training opportunities, tailored to their specific needs and be job specific. The training strand of the project will provide each participant with the opportunity of acquiring at least Level 2 sector specific qualification (as defined by the National Qualifications Framework). The training will include core skills requirements, which will enhance their employability skills to enable them to sustain employment or enhance their attractiveness to employers post – project.