LAUNCH… Pictured launching the Let’s Work Together Fermanagh and Tyrone jobs fairs are (l-r): Seamus McCaffrey, Chair of the Omagh Business Leadership Network, Jim Masterson, Chair of the Enniskillen Business Leadership Network, Nigel McDonagh, Editor, Ulster Herald, Chair of Omagh District Council, Cllr Anne Marie Fitzgerald, Maurice Kennedy, Editor, Fermanagh Herald, Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Investment, Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community, Dominic McClements, General Manager, Fermanagh Herald, Ulster Herald & North-West News Group, Malachy McAleer, Director South West College and Sheila Whelan Duffy, Head of Employability, Business in the Community
LOCAL business leaders have joined forces to tackle unemployment across Fermanagh and Tyrone.
The Let’s Work Together campaign is being led by a partnership involving Business in the Community’s Enniskillen and Omagh Business Leadership Networks, media partners – the Fermanagh Herald and the Ulster Herald – part of the North-West News Group – and South West College.
Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, officially launched the campaign on Friday June 21 at South West College, Omagh and said a ‘can do’ attitude was key to helping rebuild the economy.
“The name ‘Let’s Work Together’ is entirely apt, as the initiative depends on organisations and businesses working together to create employment opportunities for local people.
“Core to the success of this is the business community. The ‘Let’s Work Together’ approach recognises that every job, every apprenticeship and every temporary placement created by a business will make a positive impact on the economy and on people’s lives.
“They might not make the headlines in the way that big job announcements do, but they are equally important. If every business in Northern Ireland was to create just one job opportunity – even a temporary one – it would have an enormous impact, not just on our unemployment figures, but also on our skills base.
“To those in the business community that are in a position to create jobs – even one job – I would say be bold, look to the future of both your own business and the local economy, and take that step.”
Dominic McClements, general manager, Fermanagh Herald and North-West News Group stressed the importance of investing in local people.
“With over 7,000 people, aged between 18 and 49, currently out of work in Fermanagh and Tyrone alone, the local business community have an obligation to do everything possible to halt the drain of young local talent and get the economy working again.
“While many local businesses are currently operating under very difficult economic conditions, it’s extremely important to invest in our most valuable local resource – people.”
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, and Fermanagh Herald editor, Maurice Kennedy at the ‘Let’s Work Together’ initiative
Local business leader Jim Masterson, store manager for Marks & Spencer, Enniskillen, called upon employers to pledge their commitment to participate in the two Job Fairs to be held in Omagh on September 27 and in Enniskillen on October 3.
“With so many people currently out of work in Fermanagh and Tyrone, all of us have an obligation to do everything within our power to halt the drain of talent from our community and get the economy working again,” explained Jim.
“We’re asking local employers to attend these Job Fairs on the basis that they have something to offer the unemployed – whether that be jobs, apprenticeships or work placements – all of which will greatly contribute to more employment in the area.”
Employers are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the Job Fairs due to limited stand space.
The Fermanagh Jobs Fair takes place in South West College Enniskillen on Thursday October 3 2013 and interested businesses can register by emailing hr@northwestnewsgroup.com
The Tyrone Jobs Fair takes place in South West College Omagh on Friday September 27 2013 and interested businesses can register by emailing d.farnan@northwestnewsgroup.com.
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