Ritchie announces training programme for Coalisland residents

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a funding boost of nearly £8,000 for local people to take part in a business training programme.

The ‘Exploring Enterprise Programme’ will train residents from the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal areas in skills such as:

• CV preparation;
• interview skills; and
• developing business ideas.

Participants will be also given the opportunity to attain an accredited level 2 qualification.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This project will provide real and significant benefits to people in the local area. It will allow residents to participate in a specifically designed training programme to improve their employability.

“By contributing to this project my department is demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of people living in the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area.”

The programme will be delivered by Dungannon Enterprise Centre. Funding has also been provided by Enterprise NI and Dungannon Enterprise Centre giving the project a total value of over £23,000.

Dungannon Enterprise Centre will manage this project in a venue in Coalisland.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

• Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
• Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
• Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
• Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

2. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.