A delegation from the West Belfast Partnership Board met on Thursday 26th February with the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey. 

Partnership members present at the meeting included, West Belfast Partnership Boards Chief Executive, Geraldine McAteer and Strategic Regeneration Director, Callie Persic; Colin Neighbourhood Partnership Manager Annie Armstrong; Upper Springfield Development Trust’s CEO Eilish Creen and Job Assist Centre manager Sinead O’Regan.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current measures deployed by Minister Empey’s Department in West Belfast to tackle unemployment and stimulate regeneration in the area.

Geraldine McAteer, Chief Executive of the West Belfast Partnership said:

“We are very pleased that Minister Empey and his officials took the time out to discuss in some detail how the Department For Employment and Learning will work with the West Belfast Partnership and key local players such as the Employment Services Board, Job Assist Centres and training agencies to strategically address the potential impact of the recession on jobs in West Belfast.  We have agreed that West Belfast Partnership will host a working seminar on this issue which will also bring to the table Belfast City Council, the private sector and the Belfast Metropolitan College , with a view to minimising any adverse affects of the recession in this part of the city”.

A major issue for discussion was the impending recession and how it might impact in West Belfast, which is already an unemployment hotspot. Minister Empey agreed with Partnership representatives that there was a pressing need to take a proactive approach to anticipating the unemployment challenges of the recession which it is widely agreed will be considerable.

The Minister and his team of departmental officials outlined the current programmes and resources in place in West Belfast to assist local people access employment and training and the West Belfast delegation outlined successful community based ventures which were providing much needed jobs, services and training in West Belfast. In particular, Mrs Annie Armstrong described how a local initiative, the Colin Care social economy business provides vital  care services to the elderly in Twinbrook and Poleglass, whilst training and employing 26 people.