12 September 2000

FARREN: NEW DEAL HELPS DISABLED PEOPLE COMPETE FOR JOBS

"We all have a duty to ensure that disabled people have the chance to compete for jobs on an equal basis," the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren, said today during a visit to the Cedar Foundation at Balmoral.

The Minister was visiting the Foundation to see at first hand a new 8 week pre-employment training course which the Foundation is running in conjunction with the New Deal for Disabled People and which aims to equip disabled people for work in call centres.

Dr Farren said: "People with disabilities have always been one of the most socially and economically excluded groups in our society. That is manifestly unjust and is one of the issues my Department and the Executive is committed to tackling.

"One of the ways we can do that is by ensuring that disabled people have the chance to play a full and active role in the workplace. That is exactly what this specially designed course under the New Deal for Disabled People aims to do.

"It offers 16 trainees the chance to build on their abilities and gain the skills and knowledge they need to be able to compete for jobs in one of our fastest growing sectors - call centres. Just as importantly, all the trainees have been guaranteed interviews for jobs with Halifax, Abbey National and BT."

The Minister revealed that this is the first time throughout the UK that the New Deal for Disabled People has been tailored to a specific industry sector.

He added: "The partnership which the Cedar Foundation and the New Deal for Disabled People have forged will give disabled people the chance to become more independent and economically active. That has to be good for them, their communities and indeed Northern Ireland as a whole."

During his visit to the Foundation the Minister met and chatted with trainees and staff. The course itself is offered on a part-time basis and covers a variety of units including communication skills, confidence building, team building, basic computer awareness, call centre operations and customer care skills.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Cedar Foundation, previously known as NICOD, is a voluntary sector organisation which aims to promote choice, opportunity, independence and equality for disabled people throughout Northern Ireland. It provides training, accommodation, assisted living and children's services.

For further information please contact Simon Burrowes on 028 9025 7831 or 07799 711524.