Pictured at the launch of the Exploring Enterprise3 (EE3p) programme are Mark Brotherston (Castlereagh Enterprises); Jennifer Bailie (Inspire); Councillor Thomas Beckett (LCCC Mayor); Pauline McConnellogue (Enterprise NI); Allan Ewart (LCCC) and Colleen McGreevy (Lisburn Enterprise Organisation).

A new programme has been launched to help people in Lisburn and Castlereagh to start their own business or find new jobs and training opportunities.

Exploring Enterprise3 (EE3p) is being delivered by Enterprise Northern Ireland, the umbrella body for Northern Ireland’s Local Enterprise Agencies.

The project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 Investment for Jobs and Growth Programme, the Department for Employment & Learning, Enterprise Northern Ireland, Local Enterprise Agencies and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

This new initiative will provide support to unemployed or economically inactive people across Northern Ireland. It is designed to fill a gap in the market for those who don’t have the opportunities to take part in training or lack the skills to find employment. The programme provides 143 courses delivered by a network of 29 Local Enterprise Agencies.

Gordon Gough, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland commented: “Following on from the success of our previous two programmes, we are delighted to be able to launch EE3p. This new programme will run for three years, with one to one business mentoring and a QCF Level 1 in Understanding Business Enterprise qualification awarded upon successful completion of the programme.

“Our aim is still the same, we want to target people who are unemployed, economically inactive or who are working or in training for less than 16 hours per week to explore self-employment way into the jobs market. Participants will receive expert mentoring to help build and improve their CVs, search for job opportunities, practice their interview skills and develop business plans that could help them become self-employed. Participants will be signposted to additional support after completing the programme.

“We have seen many success stories from our previous programme with 2,655 people taking part.  There is a strong demand for these types of programme and we hope it will be even more successful than its predecessors.”

·          1738 participants achieved the CCEA level 2 Understanding Business Enterprise qualification in EE2p;
·          A further 299 found full-time employment;
·          407 became self-employed;
·          421 moved on to higher education and training.

Councillor Thomas Beckett, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to wish EE3p every success over the next three years as it works to assist those in the Council area identify new career opportunities.  The services offered by this new initiative will work to reduce unemployment figures further as residents either choose to be retrained, follow a new career path or become self-employed and manage their own business. 

“The business community plays an important role in the local economy and the Council is supportive of all initiatives that can further develop this sector within its area.  I would encourage those within the Lisburn and Castlereagh area to make contact with EE3p,” concluded Councillor Beckett.

Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee Alderman Allan Ewart added: “This project aims to achieve a simplified journey to entrepreneurship for unemployed individuals from Lisburn and Castlereagh facing barriers to self-employment, particularly those within the identified priority groups.  Closely linked to the Council’s business development programmes, and business growth and job targets, this programme will help contribute to the overall Council aim of delivering an integrated and targeted approach to developing the competitiveness of the area”.

For further information on the EE3p programme please visit: https://www.enterpriseni.com