The PrinceÕs Trust


The ÔGet IntoÕ programme is run in industry sectors across the UK such as construction, retail and sports and leisure. 


The PrinceÕs Trust is providing life-changing opportunities to young people and an accessible work force for employers.  It has been piloting its ÔGet IntoÕ initiatives in Northern Ireland for the past year with overwhelming success. 
The ÔGet IntoÕ courses were developed in response to PrinceÕs Trust research which showed young people who often felt held back in life by their lack of skills, experience and qualifications but wanted worthwhile jobs which offered them career opportunities. This new initiative therefore aims to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their practical skills and move into employment. 
The ÔGet IntoÕ programme is run in industry sectors across the UK such as construction, retail and sports and leisure. The programme is delivered via a variety of corporate partners related to those industries in order to provide relevant work experience.  
A strong economy and relatively low unemployment continue to mask the fact that there are still many young people in Northern Ireland who are facing economic disadvantage and low prospects of employment. In 2005 there were 6.3% of young people from 16-24 year olds who were unemployed but nearly a fifth of young people in Northern Ireland in that age group were classified as not in employment, education or training. 
This is not just an issue for the young people themselves but for the economic health of Northern Ireland as a whole. ÔThe Cost of ExclusionÕ report published in 2007 by PrinceÕs Trust warns that youth unemployment is costing Northern IrelandÕs economy more than £1.6 million a week in lost productivity and this is without taking into account those who are classified as inactive for other reasons. 
Together with the half-a-million-a-week the government pays out in JobseekerÕs Allowance, youth economic activity is costing Northern Ireland millions of pounds each year. 
The ÔGet intoÕ Scheme is also a great resource for the employers involved as it provides selection, relevant training and support to the employer as well as support for the young people involved. 
Patton Group Chairman, David Patton, whose company has been involved with the Get into Construction programme, is enthusiastic about the scheme having taken on young Ballymena man David Orr. 
ÒConstruction needs hardworking young people like David, to take up the challenges and meet the opportunities represented by the current boom. Patton Group is willing and has seen the benefits of training and recruitment from sources like ÔGet into ConstructionÕ, which release the previously untapped potential in our young people.Ó 

Speaking about the initiative Jim
Rutherford, Head of Programmes,
PrincesÕs Trust Northern Ireland
said: ÒWe at PrinceÕs Trust have
engaged with the young people of
Northern Ireland to put together
programmes that are of interest to
them. We are offering them an
opportunity to change their lives and
we can give them the confidence to
believe in themselves and believe
that there are always options open
to them.Ó
The Trust is helping young people
gain vital work experience in
key industries that face skills
shortages. In Northern Ireland there
has been particular success with
the Get into Cooking, Get into DJing
and Get into Construction schemes.
In the future there are plans to
implement Get into Retail, Get into
Sport & Leisure, Get into Rural
Crafts, Get into Organic Farming
and Get into Youth Work; the
beauty of the initiative is that
it can be tailored to almost any
sector where young people have
an interest and employers need
a workforce.
There are other ways for businesses
to get involved with The PrinceÕs
Trust Northern Ireland.
¥ Become a Business Mentor
For only a couple of hours a
month Business Mentors provide
business and personal support and
encouragement to a young person
who is starting their own business.
¥ Get Enterprising!
The PrinceÕs Trust Enterprise
Project is an innovative way of
addressing Corporate Social
Responsibility priorities whilst
providing highly successful training
and development staff. The
Enterprise project challenges a
team of enthusiastic, motivated
individuals to turn a PrinceÕs Trust
capital investment of £3,000 into
a profit of £20,000.
¥ Challenge 500
Challenge 500 is a fun, teambuilding
and fundraising activity
for employees. Teams of up to six
people compete with other teams
in a company to raise £500 per
team for The PrinceÕs Trust.
Tel. 02890 745 454.
Web. www.princes-trust.org.uk