We have received £83,000 of funding from Strabane Local Strategy Partnership under Measure 3.1 of the EU Peace and Reconciliation Funding to deliver Able2work. Able2work is designed to assist those on Incapacity Benefit to return to work via temporary employment in the voluntary or social economy sector with associated training and one to one support.

Permitted Work rules enable Incapacity Benefit claimants to work for up to 16 hours per week and keep their entitlement to Incapacity Benefit. Taking advantage of these rules Able2Work will offer 30 weeks employment of 15 hours per week paid at the minimum wage to 30 individuals who have been claiming Incapacity Benefit for 6 months or more.

In order to ensure that participants are fully ready for a return to work they will have the opportunity to undergo training if they wish to do so. All participants will attend training in equality and diversity in the modern workplace in order to develop their understanding of how peace and equality legislation have affected the world of work in Northern Ireland.

Recruitment to this programme will take place between June and October 2007.