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Training target hit a year early Training target hit a year early
(about 7 hours later)
More than 10,000 people have joined an apprenticeship programme, meeting a government target a year early, NI's employment minister has said. More than 10,000 people have joined apprenticeship programmes, meeting a government target a year early.
The programme, launched at the end of last year, aimed to have 10,000 people in training at any one time by 2010. The Department of Employment said the new total of 10,193 people passed its target to have 10,000 apprentices in training at any one time by 2010.
It is open to anyone made redundant since September 2008 who was working in the construction, engineering and motor vehicle sectors. Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey said it was important to ensure skills continue to be developed.
Sir Reg Empey said it was important to ensure skills continue to be developed. "We cannot allow the current economic climate to prevent us from developing and upskilling our workforce," he said.
"We cannot allow the current economic climate to prevent us from developing and upskilling our workforce in preparation for a brighter future," said Sir Reg.
"I would urge all employers, large and small, to find out more about the apprenticeships programme and consider it as a means to raise the skills level of their workforce and help lessen any potential future skills gaps.""I would urge all employers, large and small, to find out more about the apprenticeships programme and consider it as a means to raise the skills level of their workforce and help lessen any potential future skills gaps."