Dept. Employment & Learning
The Department for Employment and Learning aims to support learning and skills development, prepare people for work, and support the economy. Its two main groups deal with individuals seeking to improve skills and qualifications or those requiring support and guidance for employment or self-employment, as well as businesses in the private and public sectors.
It seeks to enhance learning and skills, including entrepreneurship, enterprise, management, and leadership. It aims to increase research and development, creativity, and innovation. The department also helps individuals acquire jobs, including self-employment, and improves linkages between employment programs and skill development. It develops and maintains a framework of employment rights and responsibilities.
The department manages JobCentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices. A network of 35 Jobs and Benefits Offices and JobCentres offers advertising, recruitment, application, and interview facilities. They facilitate employers in advertising job vacancies and manage vacancies online through employersonlineni.com.
The department maintains the Career Service Northern Ireland website.
The Youth Employment Scheme is designed to help and support individuals aged 18 to 24 looking for permanent employment.
The Local Employment Intermediary Service is an initiative designed to assist unemployed individuals in the community to overcome barriers to finding a job. It is provided by local community employment organizations in major urban areas and towns. The Success through Skill strategy provides an overarching framework for skills development, focusing on current skill bases and future skill needs in light of economic conditions. The document outlines a 10-year strategy for addressing long-term strategic skills development issues.
The department funds higher and further adult education, student support, and other matters related to third-level students. It sponsors several non-governmental organizations, including the Construction Industry Training Board, the Labor Relations Agency, Ulster Supported Employment Limited, the NI Certification Office, St. Mary’s University College, and Stranmillis University College.
The department also supports the Northern Ireland regional colleges, details of which are outlined in the education section.
The department operates the Bridge to Employment Scheme, designed to provide assistance to inward investment companies hiring new staff. It helps with vacancy advertising, customized training for unemployed individuals with job requirements, and other recruitment services at no cost to the employer.
The department manages apprenticeship schemes and frameworks.
Apprenticeships NI offers apprenticeship programs at levels II and III in a diverse range of work areas. Apprenticeships typically take between two and four years and require a permanent contract with a minimum of 21 hours, including time for off-the-job training. Trained suppliers are contracted with the department to deliver training for regulated qualifications and assessments.
Apprenticeships generally last two to four years and run concurrently with vocational qualifications training. A personal training plan is agreed upon and discussed between the employer, the apprentice, and the training supplier. There are over 100 apprenticeship courses, each with its own framework or structure.
Skills Councils, Standard Setting Bodies, and administrative representative bodies work with employers and training suppliers to deliver occupational standards.
The Bridge to Employment Scheme is a pre-employment training program that helps recruit unemployed individuals and provides customized training to equip them with the skills necessary to compete for employment opportunities. Benefits are retained, and certain childcare expenses may be claimed.
The company recruits in the usual way but is encouraged to consider employing individuals with lower skills than they would typically expect. Training is provided to bring them up to normal standards, with costs covered by the department.
The Steps to Work program aims to help people move into sustainable employment. It includes provisions for work experience, traineeships, and qualifications tailored to individual needs.
There is one-to-one support from an advisor designed to assist individuals in finding work as soon as possible. A range of short courses is provided to develop confidence and job search skills.
The second step involves longer-term support, lasting between three and 52 weeks and including a supplement made through benefits. The third step involves additional support and advice for up to six weeks to help individuals find a job.
The Scheme is flexible and the duration of support may vary from a few days to up to 12 months.
The Disability Employment Service offers a range of programs to assist customers in obtaining suitable employment and retaining it. Programs include Workable, Access to Work, Work-Connect, job instruction schemes, and return to work credit.
The department operates provisions for assistance with further and higher education.
Supports include maintenance grants and special support grants based on means, up to £3,475 per year, student loans for maintenance, and student loans for tuition fees.
The department publishes detailed employment guidance booklets available on its website, covering guidelines for both employers and employees.
The department deals with the Employment Agency Inspectorate, which regulates private sector recruitment. This is done under the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1981, Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (NI) 2005.
The department handles insolvency payments under legislation providing payment for certain levels of employee entitlements in cases of employer insolvency.
The department is involved in European Social Fund Programs in Northern Ireland, including programs related to empowerment and learning.
The Investors in People program is a business improvement scheme designed to enhance organizational performance by aligning people’s skills with organizational needs. The Northern Ireland Investors in People Centre offers practical measures to assist businesses.
The department is responsible for the Labor Relations Agency, which seeks to improve employment relations. The Agency operates independently of the government and is funded by a governmental grant. It provides impartial and confidential employment relations services to those in industry, commerce, and public services. It offers advice on good employment practices and assists in implementing employment policies and procedures. The agency also resolves disputes through conciliation, mediation, and arbitration services.
The Youth Council for Northern Ireland advises the department on matters related to education and library boards and other bodies in the development of the Youth Service. It encourages cross-community activity, efficient coordination, and the effective use of Youth Service resources.
The Youth Council may, with the department’s consent, receive donations and charge for its services, organize seminars, conferences, and training sessions, publish and disseminate information in the United Kingdom and cooperate with bodies in pursuit of its functions. The department may provide grants for the expenses of the Youth Council, and the Youth Council must keep accounts and submit them to the department. These accounts are examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and copies are presented to the Assembly.
The department may, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department of Finance, provide grants for the approved expenses of a voluntary organization that provides Youth Service facilities or to individuals undergoing approved training courses related to Youth Service.
Applications for grants are referred by the department to the Council, which makes recommendations on applications.
Grants may be subject to conditions and may be repayable in certain circumstances. If lands and buildings that have received departmental grants are sold, a proportion of the contributed sums may be repayable relative to the amount contributed by the department.