Bryson FutureSkills - bridging the gap to employment

Bryson FutureSkills is supporting young people to find fulfilling jobs and careers through the Young Persons Employment Initiative. This initiative is designed to help reduce or remove barriers to employment, education and training. It involves linking young people (18 to 24 year olds) with employers for a ten week employability programme.

In early June, seven young people started the programme with Belfast City Council.  The programme involves a number of different elements, including work placements, mentoring, use of job search facilities and employability training.

Participants are now a few weeks in and have already completed employability training with Bryson FutureSkills, plus corporate and health and safety inductions with Belfast City Council. They are all gaining valuable on the job training in various roles including landscaping, administration, recycling and cleansing. 

‘I have learnt the different types of plants and how to plant them. I have used the leaf blower to clean up areas in my placement and find it all interesting. I feel like I will learn a lot more from this programme. So far I am really enjoying it and enjoying how well everything it going’ – Paul Craig, YPEI Participant, Ormeau Park, Gardening Placement

‘I am enjoying my placement and I am gaining valuable experience in gardening and the day to day running of Lady Dixon Park’ – Michael Conlon, YPEI Participant, Lady Dixon Park, Gardening Placement

Being on YPEI has helped me to work with the public and working as part of a team’ – Brian Rolston, YPEI Participant, Ormeau Recycling, Recycling Placement

They all attended a workshop with their Employment Officer to apply for live vacancies with Belfast City Council and some availed of one to one support. The majority of participants progressed on to short listing and interview stages for a Assistant Community Centre Supervisor position and received further guidance to prepare for interview. They are now awaiting feedback on their interviews.

All participants have received positive feedback from their placement supervisors in Belfast City Council and are having a positive experience.

‘Chris has excellent computer/IT skills and has very quickly and accurately completed a number of IT related tasks. He picked up the HR system very quickly and completed the work accurately. He is very hard working and gets stuck in as soon as he arrives. His pace of work is very impressive and he is not afraid to ask questions or ask for more work!’ – HR Supervisor, Belfast City Council

To find out more about the initiative please contact Eamon Clarke at Bryson FutureSkills on (028) 90 745 408 

View All News