15,900 extra education and training places and €40 million for school works projects announced by Minister for Education and Skills as part of Jobs Initiative [DES Press Release]
- Published: 10 May 2011
Almost 16,000 training and education places, as well as €40 million in funding for building works for schools have been announced by Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Ruairi Quinn T.D., today as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative.
Speaking today Minister Quinn said, "The Programme for Government pledged to deliver an additional 15,000 places in training, work experience and educational opportunities within our first 100 days in office. I am very pleased that the measures contained in today's Jobs Initiative will exceed this commitment and provide those seeking employment with an additional 20,900 places, with the majority coming from my own department."
The Department of Education and Skills will provide 15,900 education and training places across a spectrum of programmes:
- 6,000 places in the FÁS Specific Skills Training programme
- 5,900 places in the Higher Education Springboard programme
- 3,000 places in the Back to Education Initiative programme
- 1,000 places in Post Leaving Cert Courses.
These places are being funded through the redeployment of some financial resources within the Department and an additional €8.3 million from the Exchequer.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State with Responsibility for Skills and Training, Ciarán Cannon T.D., said "These additional training and education places will enable more unemployed people to up-skill and re-skill so they can effectively compete for jobs in the labour market."
On the capital side, Minister Quinn announced that €40 million will be made available through the Jobs Initiative to fund 374 primary and post primary school building projects.
Full Story: www.education.ie
