6 April 2000

WORKING IN TANDEM PROVES A WINNER - SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY AND TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WIN TOP AWARD

A unique joined-up service from the Social Security Agency (SSA) and Training and Employment Agency (T&EA) which lets people sign on for benefit and look for a job at the same time and in the same place has just won both agencies a major national award.

The service, which is being piloted by the agencies in Dungannon and Lisburn, was nominated for the Pricewaterhouse Cooper's Award for Innovation and Risk Management run in conjunction with the Cabinet Office and won the prize for the Best Pilot in the UK.

Ian Walters, Chief Executive of the T&EA, said: "The idea of people signing on for Jobseekers Allowance being given the chance to look for a job at the same time and in the same place has to be to everyone's benefit.

"However, like a lot of good ideas, it is easier said than done. It took a great deal of hard work from a lot of people in both agencies to get this project up and running. This award is a very well deserved recognition of all their efforts, but the real winners have been our customers - they are the ones who are seeing an improved service on a day to day basis and are being helped to move into jobs."

Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the SSA, agreed and added that the results of the pilot have been very encouraging.

He said: "The new joined-up arrangements provide our customers with a better service and have led to a reduction in the numbers of unemployed people in both towns. Our next step will be to explore ways of implementing the idea right across Northern Ireland.

"One thing is for sure, we have to keep modernising and improving our service. That is exactly what this project has been all about. It shows that, by forward thinking, facing up to challenges together and sharing responsibilities, we can, and are, making a real difference for the better to the lives of people."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Pricewaterhouse Cooper's competition for Innovation and Risk Management is run in conjunction with the Cabinet Office. It aims to encourage and promote innovation in the public service throughout the UK.

The pilot projects in Dungannon and Lisburn have been running since March 1999.

For further information please contact Simon Burrowes (T&EA Press Office) on 028 90257831 or Colm Shannon (SSA Press Office) on 028 90569211.