The Gasworks Employment Matching Service originated from Belfast
City Council’s determination to find ways of successfully integrating
the long-term unemployed into the labour market, and to promote
economic development more generally.
The political crisis
which began in the late 60s triggered a period of urban decline that
grew into an economic crisis by the mid-80s, aggravated by rapid
deindustrialisation. A public-private regeneration initiative brought
massive improvements to a 140 hectare area, but failed to address the
needs of the surrounding neighbourhoods where social problems
persisted. Belfast City Council decided to look beyond mainstream
employment initiatives to see how public-private partnerships could
make a real difference to local unemployment.
Topics associated with this project
Economy, Housing, Northern Ireland, Regeneration, Training