Extra funding for training will benefit unemployed - Taoiseach

Published: Fri 27 Aug 2010, 2:00 PM

Up to 140 additional people will be receive new skills training as part of an initiative led by Offaly VEC after the government provided extra funding this week. Taoiseach Brian Cowen welcomed the announcement by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan this week, that the Offaly partnership of not-for-profit and public sector groups, led by Offaly VEC, was among the successful applicants approved for an additional €12 million under the Labour Market Activation Fund. 'Working Together to Get Offaly Working' will provide people with FETAC level 3 and 4 foundation courses and FETAC level 5 courses in Science, Information Technology, Business, Healthcare Support, Childcare and Renewable Energies. The programme will be delivered by the VEC in partnership with Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly County Enterprise Board, FÁS, Athlone IT, Offaly County Council, Midlands Gateway Chamber and the Department of Social Protection. Mr Cowen said that great credit must go to everybody in Offaly who took the decision to work in partnership to ensure the best value for money and the most effective delivery of services and in particular Edward McEvoy, CEO of Offaly VEC, and his colleagues who are the driving force behind this particular project. Courses are expected to take place in Banagher, Birr, Edenderry, Ferbane, Kilcormac, Mount Lucas and Tullamore. Offaly VEC has designed a range of courses and a targeted approach that will marry the future skills requirements of the region and the education and training needs of the people of County Offaly. The Labour Market Activation Fund, launched by Minister Coughlan last March, is designed to assist in the creation of innovative training and education provision by private, not-for-profit and public sector providers. It is targeted at specific priority groups among the unemployed, namely the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors - construction, retail and manufacturing sectors - with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed.