Beggs welcomes commencement of Skillsafe

Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed the announcement of the Skillsafe Scheme, which will offer assistance in the form of training allowances for apprentices to the manufacturing and engineering industries in East Antrim.

In the Assembly, Roy Beggs MLA sought clarification about the scheme and asked 'Will the Minister outline reasons for his decision to concentrate on assisting the manufacturing industry and, in particular, the engineering and tradeable services?

In response, the Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey said 'To us, it seemed the sector most vulnerable and facing the greatest number of redundancies. The member knows that in his constituency and in others, companies such as FG Wilson, Wrightbus, and Michelin, and a large number of other smaller manufacturing and engineering companies, up and down the province, have been shedding labour.'

Roy Beggs said 'It is heartening to see the Minister put into place schemes such as Skillsafe, which will provide financial help to apprentices who are on reduced weekly hours in the current economic climate.'

'It is also good to note that Minister Empey would consider more schemes like Skillsafe in the future 'If there were clear evidence that it needs to be broadened'. I believe that the scheme will provide a much needed boost to companies in East Antrim and to workers in our constituency.'

The Ulster Unionist MLA went on to say 'It is important that we retain skills so that we can take opportunities which will arise when economic fortunes improve.'