All Party Group on Voluntary and Community Sector discusses tackling unemployment

The All Party Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector provides a forum for MLAs from different parties to meet in order to consider and discuss shared interests in particular subjects. Membership is limited to MLAs but at the discretion of each group, outside organisations and individuals are often welcome to inform members of their work.

Representatives from the three organisations informed Members that the majority of the people they work with who are facing unemployment are also dealing with very complex issues. This is compounded by the fact that employment opportunities are scarce. Many of the people the three organisations work with are young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Each organisation outlined the specific opportunities they offer to their service users and highlighted some of the very positive outcomes they have had from their work. This work not only benefits each individual service user but also provides value for money for the statutory agencies they work with, a crucial factor in these tough economic times.

Members were interested in learning more about how private sector business is engaging with the voluntary and community sector in providing training and employment opportunities for unemployed people and discussed the possibility of establishing training opportunities within the Northern Ireland Assembly.

For further information on the All Party Group on the Voluntary and Community Sector, please contact Patricia Stewart at [email protected]