19/10/2010

Work Placement Scheme Launched

A nationwide work placement programme is to be launched targeting experienced, professional individuals.

The Begin Again programme, launched by the the Irish Centre for Business Excellence (ICBE), consists of 200 12-week work placements opportunities throughout the country.

The programme will be funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund and operated by the Department of Education and Skills.

Under the scheme, companies can take on an experienced and qualified individual who has been made redundant (for at least 3 months) for work placement experience for 12 weeks. The individual placed in the company retains all social Welfare benefits while gaining valuable experience and furthering his/her networking activities.

Launching the scheme this morning, a spokesman for the ICBE said: "To ensure both the company and the individual maximise this opportunity both mentoring support and training will be provided.

"It’s a win-win for both the business and the unemployed individual."

The programme aims to match individuals’ expertise with industry gaps and opportunities, giving participants the chance to meet with a number of possible companies and gain additional experience and training. Participants must have been in receipt of unemployment assistance for a period of three months, and can claim social welfare benefits during the work placement.

More than 400 companies have already signed up to provide work placements, including Boston Scientific, SuperMacs and SR Technics.

“Over the last two years, the ICBE through its membership has seen the impact of the global recession and the loss of thousands of highly qualified and experienced people,” said ICBE chief executive Pat O’Connor.

“We are very conscious of this pool of talent and wanted to find a way to get these individuals back into the workforce and back making a valuable contribution to Ireland Inc.”

Further information on the programme is available from www.beginagain.ie or on 061 371753.

(DW/KMcA)

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