Jobs Programme for Kildare Young People Launched Today

Jobs Programme for Kildare Young People Launched Today

Extension of Innovative Work Experience-based Jobs Programme for Kildare Young People Launched Today by Minister David Stanton TD.

A new innovative experience for jobs programme for some of Ireland’s most disadvantaged young people has been extended to North Kildare from today. The programme exposes participants to the world of work and the skills required to operate effectively in it, through a structured and supported process involving preparation, placement and reflection.

The programme challenges the young person involved to undertake a paid part-time job with all the responsibilities that that entails. The programme supports employers to become actively involved in the young person’s learning, development and progression through the placement itself and by way a series of structured assessments of the participating young person’s skills.

The “Work to Learn” programme is promoted by Youth Work Ireland with funding support from State Street Bank and the Irish Youth Justice Service. Due to the success of the operation of the programme in Kilkenny, where approximately 20 young people have participated to date, it is now planned to roll out the programme to six other Garda Youth Diversion Projects across the country in 2017. In Kildare, ‘The Bridge’ Garda Youth Diversion Project operating across Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock has already begun to roll out the programme.

“The programme has two target groups, Garda Youth Diversion Project participants and the wider community, specifically the business community, often the target of youth crime and anti-social behaviour. The programme exposes participants to the world of work and the skills required to operate effectively in it, through a structured and supported process involving preparation, placement and reflection. The programme challenges the young person involved to undertake a paid part-time job with all the responsibilities that that entails. This programme will provide valuable experience and learning for the young people involved and will help them to establish a good work ethic, gain useful skills and to respect others, including their employer.” said Fran Bissett from Kildare Youth Services.

 “The great thing about this programme is that it sensitises the business community generally to youth crime prevention but specifically the host employers by actively engaging them in providing a learning environment for young people who are at risk of involvement in, or have been involved in, offending behaviour. The successful operation of the programme is dependent on a level of cross community co-operation that requires the GYDP, youth services and the business community to work together to create opportunities for the young people involved.” added Minister David Stanton TD speaking at the launch.

Contact:               Fran Bissett         (Kildare Youth Services) 087-6658221

Michael Mc Loughlin (Youth Work Ireland)           087 6677499

                               Gina Halpin                   (Youth Work Ireland)        087 682 8045

 

Images from:      Marc O’Sullivan      087 2624540      osullivan.marc@gmail.com


Note to Editors:

Garda Youth Diversion Projects are co-funded by the Department (IYJS) and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

State Street employ approximately 2,500 people in Ireland with offices in Dublin, Drogheda, Kilkenny and Naas. State Street is one of Ireland’s leading fund services companies.

Youth Work Ireland is a federation of 22 local voluntary youth services working with over 100,000 young people in Ireland.

Kildare Youth Services is the largest provider of youth and family services in Co. Kildare & West Wicklow supporting young people, children and families to enable them to live a full and active life within their communities and society. Approximately 2500 young people, children and families are engaged with Kildare Youth Services supported by 77 staff and up to 250 volunteers.

The Bridge Garda Youth Diversion Project works with targeted young people across the Leixlip Garda District including Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, and Kilcock.

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