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Category: Employment

Posted on by r.donnelly

A new Derry Inclusive Employment Academy is set to launch across the Derry & Strabane District Council area, providing practical, tailored support for residents who consider themselves to have a mental or physical disability and who are ready to move into employment. The programme will support participants into roles within the IT, Finance and Creative Media sectors, offering recognised qualifications and clear progression routes towards interviews, work placements, and local employment opportunities.

The programme is funded by the Department for Communities through the Derry & Strabane Labour Market Partnership (LMP). Labour Market Partnerships enable councils to develop targeted employment action plans and work collaboratively at local and regional level to support people towards and into sustainable employment.

Delivered in partnership with People 1st, the Inclusive Employment Academy is designed for residents aged 18 years and over who are currently out of work, reside within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, and have the right to work in the UK. The programme aims to reduce barriers to employment by offering structured, flexible, and personalised support tailored to individual needs and career goals.

What will the Derry Inclusive Employment Academy help participants with?

Participants will benefit from a comprehensive package of support, including one-to-one guidance, flexible wrap-around mentoring, and careers advice delivered by the Careers Service. Training and recognised qualifications will be aligned to the specific sector or job role being pursued, alongside the delivery of core employability skills.

The programme also includes job matching, access to work placements or work trials, and a guaranteed interview on completion. To support long-term success, participants who move into employment will receive up to six months of post-employment support, helping to ensure job retention and sustained progression in the workplace.

The Derry Inclusive Academy is welcome news for the area!

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, welcomed the announcement.

“It is fantastic to see another training academy being offered in our city and district. Initiatives like this not only open the door to new employment opportunities but also provide people with the confidence and additional support they need when seeking work. It is encouraging to see our Labour Market Partnership continuing to develop courses such as this, helping to ensure that the Derry and Strabane District remains an inclusive place to live and work — a place that truly is for everyone. I would encourage anyone who meets the criteria to get involved, and I wish all participants every success as they work towards their new qualification.”

Glenn McGarrigle, People 1st, added:

“Academies like this are a great way to begin a new career path, particularly for those who may be unsure where to start. Through the Inclusive Employment Academy, participants will receive practical training, a recognised qualification, and the full support of the People 1st team to help them progress towards interviews, placements, and employment.”

Find out more about the Derry Inclusive Academy

An official launch event will take place on Wednesday 4 February 2026 at 1.00pm in the Verbal Arts Centre, Bishop Street, Derry. Find directions here on how to get to the Verbal Arts Centre below: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bRgPDfsGacuWsSTX6

For further information or to register your interest, please contact Glenn McGarrigle at [email protected] For further information on Derry and Strabane LMP, please visit: www.derrystrabane.com/LMP.

You can also visit the academies page here to find out more case studies and information about past academies: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/

Posted on by r.donnelly

We were delighted to celebrate some fabulous Employment Academy Success this week!! Participants from the very first Business Services Employment Academy were recognised at a prestigious event in Belfast City Hall last week, where the Lord Mayor of Belfast personally presented them with their certificates of achievement.

The event was a proud milestone for everyone involved, celebrating not only the individual successes of the participants but also the impact of this brand-new initiative in supporting local people back into meaningful employment

Celebrating at Belfast City Hall

The Business Services Employment Academy is one of the latest additions to Belfast City Council’s expanding Employment Academies programme and was delivered in partnership with People 1st.

The programme was specifically designed to create new opportunities in the city’s professional and business support sectors, helping participants gain the confidence, skills, and qualifications needed to move into employment in roles such as administration, customer service, reception, and wider business support.

Over the course of eight days, participants benefitted from a structured and supportive training journey that included:

  • Five days of classroom training at Belfast City Council’s Adelaide Street site
  • Three days of hands-on work experience within the Council
  • One-to-one mentoring to build confidence, improve job applications, and prepare for interviews
  • Financial support to help cover expenses such as travel

The programme was open to people who had been unemployed or economically inactive for at least six months, or those working fewer than 16 hours per week (including those on zero-hour contracts).

Employment Academy Success- Supporting People Back Into Work

By the end of the Academy, participants had not only developed practical skills and improved their job prospects, but they had also gained valuable insights into what it is like to work within Belfast City Council.

“This is a great opportunity to gain employment with such a prestigious employer within the city. The Academy offers tailored support and mentoring to help individuals return to work and progress in their careers.”

Roberta Patton, Mentor at People 1st

The initiative is also designed to help address recruitment challenges within the sector by creating a pipeline of skilled and motivated individuals ready to take up business support roles across Belfast.

Employment Academies – Building Belfast’s Future Workforce

Belfast City Council’s Employment Academies have become a key driver in connecting local people to training and job opportunities across a wide range of industries.

Each Academy is co-designed with local employers and focuses on:

  • Practical skills – ensuring participants are job-ready
  • Career support – with mentoring, job search assistance, and interview preparation
  • Employer connections – giving insight into industry needs and opportunities
  • Qualification development – helping participants gain relevant training and certifications

The Council has already seen success with previous Academies, including partnerships with major employers such as Stena Line to support careers in the maritime sector. The Business Services Academy is the latest example of how this innovative approach is helping to meet the needs of both employers and job seekers.

A Proud Celebration at City Hall

The celebration event at Belfast City Hall reflected the hard work, dedication, and progress of the participants. It was also a recognition of the value of Employment Academies in transforming lives — opening doors for people who may have struggled to re-enter the workforce and giving them the tools they need to succeed.

Many of those who took part are now better equipped to secure employment in administration, customer service, and business support roles, with the confidence and practical experience to thrive.

Want to take part in a future Academy? and enjoy Employment Academy Success…

To find out more about upcoming Employment Academies, visit the Belfast City Council website or contact us at [email protected].
You can also read more inspiring stories by searching academies in our news feed or also visiting the academies section of our website linked here: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/

Posted on by r.donnelly

The Armagh City Hotel is thrilled to celebrate the recent successful completion of Level 2 NVQ Diploma programme, by two dedicated members of their Housekeeping team.

Armagh City Hotel Housekeepers, Ellie McManus (left) and Krisitana Caunane (right) with their NVQ Level 2 Diplomas in Housekeeping

The hotel has a long-standing partnership with People 1st, the program facilitator, and takes pride in aiding its valued employees’ professional progression through various industry-specific courses. The latest achievers are Housekeepers Ellie McManus and Kristiana Caunane, both receiving NVQ Level 2 Diplomas in Housekeeping.

Armagh City Hotel delighted with the achievements!

Regarding the girls’ accomplishments, Senior HR Advisor Siobhan Maxwell expressed her joy, stating,

” I’ve been so happy seeing the girls complete their NVQs – both girls have worked exceptionally hard on their course with their People’s 1st tutor Colleen. We started working with People 1st last year, and we have had eight employees, including managers part take in different qualifications. Completing these courses as you work has been amazing, People 1st have been so flexible with working around the girls’ work schedule. All classes and assessments take place during working hours and that has been a huge draw for our participants as some may not have the option to complete a qualification outside of working hours “

The new All Age Apprenticeships will also be so positive for the hospitality sector as it will allow employees who were outside of the age criteria to take part now in an Apprenticeship and gain a qualification, as Siobhan explains:

 ” When the girls commenced the course, apprenticeships were only open to 16-24 years olds, however, apprenticeships now have no restrictions and are open to all ages, so we are hoping to offer NVQ programmes across all age groups within the hotel to existing and new employees. The courses can be tailored to each participants individual needs, depending on their current role and what they see their role developing into through additional optional modules. Providing these courses for our existing and new employees is our way of supporting them in developing their careers with us.”

Management team of Armagh City Hotel toasts to great success!

General Manager Henk Compier echoed the sentiments, presenting Ellie and Kristiana with celebratory Prosecco to mark their achievements. Henk emphasised his pride in the girls and their growth over the past two years, attributing it to the course’s impact on their confidence and skills within the hotel.

“We are so proud of Ellie and Kristiana on the completion of their NVQ’s, both girls have been with us just over two years and in the last year in particular their confidence has increased immensely, that I believe is down to participating in the course – the knowledge and the skills they have gained from the course has helped them tremendously in their roles within the hotel, I can see both of them progressing through the ranks within the hotel.” 

The team at the Armagh City hotel really feel that the difference has come from the fact that the training is able to be undertaken during working hours while the team members are able to earn while the learn and allows them to gain a qualification while they are gaining solid experience and a salary too, helping to alleviate some of the pressures that come with a return to studying!

“That is the reason we work with People’s 1st in delivering these courses, on the job training and development is so important, however, this course and the subsequent qualification has given both girls unmatched knowledge and confidence. Once again, I am so proud of them both.”

General Manager Henk Compier

Onwards and upwards at the Armagh City Hotel for the girls!

Both Kristiana and Ellie are so delighted to achieve this qualification and know that it is a great step on their career path and are looking forward to implementing everything that they have learned over the past year. Commenting on her experience of the course, Kristiana said: 

” It was different because I didn’t know you couldn’t do something like this with work. Our tutor Colleen from People 1st, created such a bond with us and there were things that I didn’t know going into the programme and now I do so it’s nice to know that I have this foundation now for the future.”

Kristiana’s department colleague and classmate Ellie shared a similar experience, stating:

“It was such a new experience. I was learning things that I thought I knew already, but I didn’t. We had a great tutor and created a bond and it was actually really nice. The NVQ Level 2 is better for the future. If I wanted to move on or move up in hospitality it will help with that.”

You can find out more about the Armagh City Hotel on their website https://www.armaghcityhotel.com/ and you can also find out more about the wide variety of Hospitality NVQ’s that you can do with People 1st, on our website https://people-1st.co.uk/qualification-categories/hospitality-catering/

In conclusion, both Ellie and Kristiana’s success stories underscore the hotel’s commitment to employee development through tailored courses, fostering confidence, and knowledge crucial for career progression.


Posted on by r.donnelly

We are delighted to announce this exciting Support Services Employment Academy with Mid & East Antrim Labour Market Partnership, created for council residents wishing to work in Health & Social Care.

Would you like to work in Health and Social Care? Join our Academy today!

Fast Track your way to working in the Care sector!

Always wanted to help others and work in the Care sector but weren’t sure how to go about it, or maybe you have no experience and need a bit of support with the interview process? Then this 5 day FREE Support Services Employment Academy course will be a fantastic starting point for you!

Starting on Monday the 27th of November, our helpful and supportive Academy team will take you and other candidates through our specially created programme to fast track your way into employment within this in-demand sector.

What is the Support Services Employment Academy?

It is an enjoyable employment programme created to assist those new to the Health and Social Care sector, by giving you a great insight into the roles available and the care you might give in these various job roles. Over the 5 days of the Support Services Employment Academy you will have access to our specialist training created specifically to give you a strong overview of what you need to work in the care industry. We will provide you with support and mentoring to gain employment and you will gain access to our database of employers who have live vacancies across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area with full time, part time and casual contracts all available to start now!!

Mid and East Antrim Support Services Academy team member working alongside an elderley man in a care in the community role
Help those living in your community with a range of employment opportunities in Care

What do you learn during the 5 days on this Support Services Employment Academy?

What will the 5 days cover?

  • Working in Care: An exploration of the diverse range of career pathways within the social care sector.
  • Introduction to Care Standards, RQIA and The Social Care Council
  • Values and attributes, underpinning principles, and standards of practice
  • Consolidation of online learning module on confidentiality: Information Governance and Cyber Security
  • Meet the employer – Guest speaker from care sector outlining what they look for in an employee

What are the benefits of taking part in this Support Services Employment Academy?

Benefits to taking part in this Support Services, Health and Social Care Academy?

  • A chance to improve employability
  • Guaranteed interviews with employers
  • Access to industry standard vocational training
  • One to one mentoring support for the duration of the programme
  • An introduction to the sector and an insight into the range of job roles available

We have also videos and case studies from past participants from various Academies on our website here: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/ so please visit this link to find out more and hear how life-changing it can be!

Work in Health and Social Care with Mid and East Antrim and help those in need locally!
Help in the home roles as well as various other settings within Health and Social Care

Who can apply for the Support Services Employment Academy?

You must be over 16 years of age and living in the Mid and East Antrim areas to apply for the Support Services Employment Academy. Preference will be given to those who are economically inactive, long- term unemployed or under-employed (working less than 16 hours).

How to apply for the Support Services Employment Academy?

For registration and further information please email Kim from People 1st at [email protected] or [email protected]

You can also find further information about the Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership and their employment initiatives here: https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/business/amplify-mid-and-east-antrim/employment-and-skills-support/labour-market-partnership

Make that first step today, and apply for a place on this Academy

Tina, aged 47 from Ballymena, took part in a past Support Services Employment Academy- hear what she had to say about her experience!

Tina, 47, from the Ballymena area had been unemployed for 3 years but unfortunately had to leave her job due to medical conditions. She really wanted a job which helped people and supported them to live a better quality of life. Tina had over 10 years experience working in a special needs role and knew that her passion lay in working with individuals who needed extra assistance and support, to help them lead full and independent lives.

Tina saw the Mid and East Antrim Employment Academy advertised in the local paper and thought it would be a good opportunity to try and re-enter the employment market.

Tina was assigned a Mentor from People 1st, who contacted her to chat through her employment goals. It became obvious that she had some concerns regarding her medical history and coming back into employment. Tina’s mentor spent time chatting to her about both physical and mental health concerns, reassuring her that these were challenges that could be overcome. Tina was nervous as she had had a very bad experience in her workplace previously and this negatively affected her mental health. This had left her worried about references and how she would be able to move beyond that experience.

Tina stated “ I thought due to my past experience I wouldn’t get good references but after speaking to People 1st, I was reassured and my mind was put to rest and here I am working with three great references.’’ After reassuring Tina that these where areas which could be overcome, she became more motivated to gain employment in the Health and Social Care sector.

Tina attended the academy with People 1st which boosted her confidence and helped her understand the basic principles of care work. Tina was supported to apply for work and prepare for interviews. Tina successfully gained an offer of employment from a local nursing home and is now undertaking her NVQ Level 2 with People 1st, while working in her new job.

“I’m so glad I contacted people 1st, it’s been a great experience. The support from the One to One phone calls, Zoom meetings, the emotional support, help with interview techniques and being encouraged to think I can do this!!!. I love how it’s given me confidence to get out working again. I really love working with people again and has given me confidence and I really enjoy my work. Thank you to everyone in People 1st”

Tina, Ballymena- Past Mid and East Antrim Academy Participant

So if you are sitting at home, reading this and thinking you would love to do something like Tina then please reach out and get in touch with us today, as we would love to help you through our Support Services Employment Academy, achieve a rewarding career in caring, like we did with Tina.

Email Kim at [email protected] today and we will be in touch to secure your spot!

Posted on by r.donnelly

We are thrilled to share William and Patrick Magennis’ remarkable success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy and People 1st. The brothers have achieved an outstanding milestone in their careers with the support of Belfast City Council’s Upskilling Academy and their employer, Kids Together Belfast.

Success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy for Patrick and William Magennis
Twin Brothers Patrick and William Magennis with Brenda (left) People 1st Director and Diane (right), Kids Together Belfast.

William and Patrick, who share a genuine passion for working with children with special needs, embarked on their professional journey as support workers with Kids Together, a local organisation specialising in early years, after-school programmes, youth groups, and adults with complex needs. The Magennis brothers initially completed their Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care through the Apprenticeships programme with People 1st, all while gaining valuable hands-on experience working alongside the dedicated team at Kids Together.

Journey to success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy

When the opportunity arose to participate in the Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy, William and Patrick seized it eagerly. Having advanced from support worker to team leaders in their organisation, they were keen to further their careers in supervisory roles, and the academy provided them with the perfect pathway to achieve this goal

Following their successful completion of the academy and achieving their Level 5 qualification in Health and Social Care, we are thrilled to announce that both of these talented brothers have been promoted to supervisory positions at Kids Together. This is a fantastic opportunity for career progression, not only for William and Patrick, but also for their employer, as they will benefit greatly from this achievement too.

As an organisation and on a personal level we are so proud of William and Patrick and how far they have come. Their commitment to upskilling, with the guidance from People 1st staff, whilst working full time is a credit to them both. Kids Together are very fortunate to have William and Patrick as part of our ever growing team and the skills and knowledge gained from the Level 3 and 5 Health and Social Care have empowered them to become super supervisors and mentors for their teams.

Pamela Hughes, Manager, Kids Together Belfast
Success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy for Patrick and William Magennis
Back in 2021 when Patrick and William achieved their Level 3 in Health and Social care with People 1st during the pandemic.

A life-changing career move in the right direction

As Patrick explains, he feels that this training is his real vocation in life as he enjoys it so much and has had a brilliant journey up to this point:

After leaving school, I went to work as a classroom assistant in special needs and found my passion! After completing my Level 3 in Health and Social Care, I was delighted to be able to progress with Belfast City Council and the Up-skilling Academy to gain my Level 5 Management qualification.  I feel that a clear career path has been opened to me by completing this Academy and after up-skilling, I have been able to take on a higher-level management position at Kids Together. Supporting young people with disabilities is extremely rewarding and I want to encourage and support other young males to consider this pathway as a career

Patrick Magennis, Supervisor, Kids Together Belfast

This success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy that the brothers have enjoyed has gained them a promotion and will really help propel their career forward with Kids Together Belfast. The support extended by Belfast City Council, at no cost to either participants or employers, underscores its potential to foster professional growth within your organisation, equipping team members with the skills to benefit both the employer and the children under their care. It is a positive initiative for all involved as Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: 

It’s fantastic to hear of the success William and Patrick have had after completing our Upskilling Academy. We’re passionate about supporting our residents to develop the skills they need to secure quality employment in the city. We’ve made a commitment in The Belfast Agenda to support inclusive growth by providing free training, enabling people to apply for roles they otherwise wouldn’t be equipped to do. And Belfast’s children are also benefitting – particularly those with Special Education Needs. Congratulations William and Patrick – we wish you every continued success

Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy
Success with the Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy

We extend heartfelt thanks to Belfast City Council and the Kids Together Belfast team for their unwavering support of this incredible and life-changing initiative. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for news of upcoming up-skilling academies, as we anticipate more inspiring success stories like this one!

Congratulations to William and Patrick, and we all wish them the very best on their future pathways! 

If you would like the opportunity for further career success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy, like Patrick and William, then please visit the following link to find out what current opportunities are available for further training through the Belfast City Council Employment Academies: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/employmentacademies

We have a whole section dedicated to the Academy programmes we offer on our website where you can hear from other past participants: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/ . If you would like to find out more about Kids Together Belfast and the incredible service that they offer local families then please visit their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kids-Together-Belfast-100064606302711/

Posted on by r.donnelly

At People 1st, we believe in empowering women to achieve their career goals, and that’s why we’re excited to introduce our Female Focus Academy in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Labour Market Partnership, and we want to help your local community by getting females into employment today! 

We are here to help with getting females into employment within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area.
Let us help you get back into employment after a career break!!

People 1st are ready and focused on getting females into employment!

In today’s world, there are still challenges that many women face when it comes to finding their path in the workforce or returning to work after a career break. 

Let’s dive deeper into this exciting initiative and how it can help you chart your path to career success.

Breaking Down the Female Focus Academy:

Our Female Focus Academy is a platform designed to provide tailored support and mentoring to women in the Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon Council area. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first job, a stay-at-home mom seeking to re-enter the workforce, or simply someone who’s in need of a career change, this program is here to guide you every step of the way.

  • Personalised 1:1 Mentoring: We understand that every woman’s journey is unique. That’s why our program offers one-on-one mentoring tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
  • Confidence and Motivation Support: Building confidence is key to achieving your career goals. Our dedicated mentors will work with you to boost your self-esteem and motivation.
  • Financial Guidance: Before accepting a job offer, it’s essential to understand the financial implications. We provide guidance to ensure you’re making informed decisions.
  • Short, Accredited Courses: Our program offers short courses that are not only convenient but also accredited, helping you gain essential skills for your desired career.
  • Job Search Assistance: Looking for the right job can be daunting. We offer valuable job search assistance to streamline your efforts.
  • Interview Support: Nailing that interview is crucial. We provide interview coaching to help you shine in the spotlight.
We can help recent female graduates also looking help into employment on our programme
If you are looking for your first Graduate role after University, then we can help you!

Why You Should Join our Employment Academy?

Why You Should Join:

Our Female Focus Academy is more than just a program; it’s a community of women dedicated to supporting one another on their career journeys. We believe in your potential and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. By joining our program, you’ll gain access to a network of like-minded women, empowering you to thrive in the workforce.

How to Apply:

To apply for our Female Focus Employment program, simply fill out your details here:

https://forms.gle/GkgJgzLCo2dEiwui9

and Maria, our dedicated People 1st team member for this programme will be in touch to guide you through the process. If you have any questions or queries before applying then Maria will be happy to help guide you so please contact her on [email protected] or call Maria directly on 07847 807 903.

At People 1st, we believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to excel in her chosen career path. Our Female Focus Academy is your gateway to career success, offering the support and resources you need to achieve your goals. We invite you to join us on this empowering journey towards a brighter future. Let’s make strides together and get onto a clear pathway to success!

We are here to help all ages-getting females into employment is the main focus of the programme and the People 1st team is ready to support your career needs.
If you have been a carer for loved ones, and unable to work- we can help you get back to a job you will really enjoy!

Please find the programme flyer attached below where you can click to read further detailed information about the programme, and how our team can help you on this exciting new initiative for employment. You can also browse our Academies page on our website that tells you more about how the employment academies work and read some past testimonials too! https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/

In Partnership with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership
Female Focus Employment Academy

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