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Interface Education and Training Needs Recognised
9th December 2010
The Suffolk – Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) launched its’ Youth Trainee Student Programme at Stormont, amid resounding support from all shades of political opinion.
The programme, which SLIG is delivering in conjunction with the University of Ulster, and Steps to Work, was launched in the Long Gallery on Tuesday 7 December.
Ministers Catriona Ruane MLA, Danny Kennedy MLA and Alex Attwood MLA were lined up to attend, but because of weather and other circumstances, Alex Attwood was the sole carrier of the ministerial banner.
Sue Ramsey MLA (Sinn Fein) delivered a speech on behalf of Catriona Ruane, while Danny Kennedy’s contribution was given by a senior civil servant from the Department for Learning and Employment.
Ulster Unionist Education spokesman, Basil Mc Crea MLA along with Dolores Kelly, the SDLP’s Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee also spoke in support of the SLIG initiative.
Sinn Fein’s West Belfast MP, Gerry Adams’ successor in the Assembly, Pat Sheenan MLA attended, accompanied by party colleague, Paul Maskey MLA. The DUP’s William Humphrey one of the four sponsoring politicians, was represented by fellow DUP politician, Jim Wells and two fellow DUP MLAs.
According to a seasoned Stormont watcher, few Stormont events attract this level of interest from busy MLAs.
Alex Attwood, who is Minister for Social Development, gave SLIG and the Youth Trainee Student programme a resounding endorsement. “SLIG is a trailblazer and is what the interfaces should look like, doing more than their share of the heavy-lifting,” he said. All ministers think the same as do funders like Atlantic Philantropies, he added, commending SLIG for serving as an example.
SLIG, which won the Community Award at the recent Aisling Awards, believes that the launch of the Youth Trainee Programme puts into practice the shared future that politicians and others have long talked about.
Twelve young people from Suffolk and Lenadoon have been selected to participate in the programme. The trainees will be placed with, and rotated around the various youth provider groups in both Suffolk and Lenadoon as part of the work placement element of the programme. Most notably trainees from Lenadoon will have the opportunity to work in Suffolk and vice versa, the first time that training of this type has taken place on a cross-community basis.
Harry Maher, SLIG’s Strategic Development Minister, who moderated proceedings in the Long Gallery, said: “This pilot scheme breaks new ground for SLIG and marks the first time that interface issues have entered mainstream education. Given SLIG’s comprehensive approach to peace-building, SLIG sees this as the start of work with academic and other organisations.
Further information:
Cathal Tolan T. 028 90629146 M. 077 25097775
Youth Advocacy Worker