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Employment Academies

In recent years, the Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership has collaborated closely with local employers and training agencies to implement a variety of tailored training programs known as Employment Academies.


Your New Career Starts Here

Your New Career Starts Here
 

Employment Academies have been specifically designed to tackle shortages in vital industry sectors such as Childcare, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, and Logistics. The primary goal is to offer individuals who are unemployed or earning low incomes the chance to launch a career or enhance their skills for advancement in their current roles, thereby benefiting both the individual and the local economy.

Each Academy offers comprehensive training, qualifications, and the assurance of a job interview with a local company.

Candidates must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Be a resident of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
  • Be either unemployed, under-employed (16 hours per week or less), be at risk of redundancy.

To apply or for further information T: 028 9074 7676 or E: info@workforceonline.org

If you own a hospitality business and would like to become involved E: Skills@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Warehouse Academy

Warehouse Academy
 

Are you ready to step into an exciting career in warehousing?  Look no further than our Warehousing Academy Programme!  Tailored for individuals eager to kickstart their journey in the industry, this programme offers the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel in this field.

Participants will learn about customer services, Manual Handling, COSHH with optional forklift driving session.

This programme will run between 2 June and 6 June .

To apply or for further information T: 028 9074 7676 or E: info@workforceonline.org

Find Out More

Train to Work with Children and Young People with Special Needs

Train to Work with Children and Young People with Special Needs
 

Calling all Childminders! 

The Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership are seeking expressions of interest to avail of Level 3 OCN NI Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs!

The qualification will equip childminders with the essential skills and knowledge to support children with diverse needs and create an inclusive, supportive environment.

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥:

✅ Gain a deeper understanding of special needs

✅ Enhance your professional skills

✅ Make a lasting difference in children's lives

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:

🗓️ Wednesday 7 May

🕖6:30 -7:15 - 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮 12 𝙈𝙖𝙮

To register your interest for the information, please contact Cathy McGarvey
✉️ c.mcgarvey@people-1st.co.uk
📞 07989 099363

Pathway Programme

Pathway Programme
 

Are you aged 18-24 and looking for unemployment or the next step in your career pathway? Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership’s Pathway Programme will provide bespoke and flexible support to those seeking employment, more sustainable jobs, and those wanting to change careers and retrain. Participants will benefit from:

 

  • 1-1 mentoring sessions
  • Bespoke career guidance
  • Development of interview skills, CV writing, confidence building etc.
  • Barrier removal (i.e. childcare, transportation etc.)
  • Career specific support
  • Signposting to career specific training

 

To register your interest and for more information, please E: info@workforceonline.co.uk or click here.

Employment Academy and Apprenticeship Success

Employment Academy and Apprenticeship Success
 

Gavin Magee began his journey at the Adair Arms Hotel in May 2016, initially serving as a Kitchen Assistant before transitioning to the front of the house as a Food & Beverage waiter. In 2017, Gavin successfully achieved his N.VQ Level 2 in Food and Beverage service, Bar Academy Certification, and Customer Service training.

Progressing steadily, Gavin advanced to N.V.Q Level 3 supervisor in 2018, subsequently taking on the role of a Food and Beverage Supervisor at the Adair Arms. In 2020, he undertook the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Hospitality Management, successfully completing the program in 2023.

Gavin's accomplishments continued to shine as he was recognised as the rising star at the N.I Hotel Federation in 2023. In the same year, he made a significant move to Corrs, assuming the position of Trainee Duty Manager. His career trajectory took another positive turn in February 2024 when he transferred to the Dunadry Hotel and Gardens as a Duty Manager.

Currently, Gavin is making waves as a finalist in the Northern Ireland Apprentice of the Year 2024 competition, showcasing his dedication and excellence in the hospitality industry.  We look forward to updating you with the results which will be announced in March this year.

Testimonials

Customer Services Academy - 'Emily'

What is your employment status?
I am unemployed

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what motivated you to join this academy?
I graduated with a marketing degree and used to work in a business doing that during COVID, however, the business had to shut down and I was left without a job. With lockdown, I was very isolated, and being out of work made me lose by confidence, especially as my siblings were and are still doing really well in their careers. I done previous hotel work, but there was no work-life balance and then I struggled with anxiety as a result of these things. 

The Jobs and Benefits Office referred me to this Academy to help with structure and to build my skills, and hopefully find suitable work.

What skills do you hope to gain or improve through this academy?
I really wanted to get my First Aid training, so I was glad the Customer Services Academy offered this. It’s also helped to have the Food Hygiene training, COSHH, World Hosting Customer Service Training and Manual Handling training too.

What challenges have you faced in your job search or career path so far?
I had to come out of my previous hotel work job as I was too anxious and overwhelmed with a lack of work-life balance. When I returned to looking for jobs, I found it very hard to find employment, even with a degree. My anxiety and confidence had taken a dip, especially with lockdown and having to come out of work because of illness.

What do you like about the employment academy? Are you finding it useful/are there new things you are learning that you haven’t learned before?
It’s really good to have the structure of it, and all the staff and participants are really friendly. They have been able to help pinpointing where I could maybe work because of my personality. It takes a long time for me to get comfortable with people, and by the end of the first day, I felt really at ease sitting and learning with everyone.

Has it increased your confidence in building your skills/potentially finding employment?
Definitely – there’s a lot of emphasis on finding a job that suits you, not just to have a job, and the interaction with other participants makes you feel that you’re not the only one going through this search alone.

Customer Services Academy 'Participant'

What is your employment status?
I am currently unemployed.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what motivated you to join this academy?
I joined this academy for help to get into employment. I have been speaking with employers and sending my CV to them for roles but haven’t had any luck with finding a job.    

I am still looking for jobs while on this academy. 

What skills do you hope to gain or improve through this academy?
I wanted to get a few extra qualifications to help with getting into employment, so the World Host Customer Service Training and Manual Handling are helpful to have.

I would like some more help with creating CVs and in interviewing, especially how to make one with AI being so common now.

I do a lot of self-learning with courses at home.

What challenges have you faced in your job search or career path so far?
While I have job experience, the most difficult part of the job search is trying to get through to companies and potential employers. I speak with recruitment specialists from these companies who ask to send a CV in, which I do, only to get an email back I was unsuccessful for the role – despite being told to throw in my generic CV and not replying for any role.

I also have gone through interviews, but either get rejected, or I have companies cancel interviews and ghost me.

Have you ever faced any obstacles in your job search, such as gaps in employment or lack of experience in certain areas?
It is mostly employers that have been an obstacle for me, but also AI. It can be confusing whether to use AI to help create a CV, as it’s been recommended, but there are a lot of mixed reviews on it.

What do you like about the employment academy? Are you finding it useful/are there new things you are learning that you haven’t learned before?
I am definitely learning new things – such as Manual Handling, COSHH, First Aid.

The interaction with the other participants is also really helpful – job searching can make you feel alone especially when you’re stuck in the house on your own. It’s helped my mental health being with others who are in the same position and having that structure of coming to training.

Has it increased your confidence in building your skills/potentially finding employment?
My confidence is still up and down, but I attribute this a lot to the job search.

 

Case Study - Dylan

Dylan was unemployed and unsure of what direction to take in his career. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he struggled to leave the house and suffered from social anxiety, which combined with being unemployed, affected his self-confidence.

He joined Antrim and Newtownabbey LMP’s Pathway Programme, tailored to 18-24 year olds to move them towards a pathway of support into training or employment, tailored to individual needs. Dylan has availed of support in employability skills, interview and CV support.

Through the Pathway Programme, Dylan enrolled on the LMP’s SIA Employment Academy to earn an SIA licence to work in the security sector.

Since taking part in these two programmes, Dylan’s confidence has boosted. He said:

the smaller classes in the SIA Academy helped and the staff and training providers at Workforce were very supportive of him in his journey.

Useful Contacts

Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership

Mossley Mill,
Carnmoney Road North,
Newtownabbey,
BT36 5QA

Tel: 0300 123 4568

Email Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership