Local businesses can capitalise on new internship programme

By JACQUELINE HOGGE BUSINESSES which have been struggling to survive in recent years are being urged to take up the opportunities afforded in a new government scheme to address unemployment. Jobs Bridge is a national internship programme, details of which were announced this week by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton during a visit to Headford and Tuam. The scheme involves work placements in the private, public and community sectors, where participants retain their social welfare entitlements along with a top-up payment of €50 per week.[private] Up to 5,000 placements will be available for a period of six to nine months and local companies in Tuam have been briefed on the scheme by the town's TD, Colm Keaveney. 'We held a briefing session on the scheme earlier this month but I've been personally calling to businesses in the town in recent weeks to explain the potential it offers, both in terms of businesses surviving the current economic difficulties, as well as job creation in our town,' he said. 'The feedback I've had so far has been very positive and it is one of the many ways this government is tackling both the unemployment and economic situations we are facing.' Minister Burton, who opened Deputy Keaveney's constituency office in the town during her visit on Monday, said the programme would ensure that those taking part would enhance their existing skills and develop new ones. 'It will provide a real alternative to people who find themselves without work. It will also give young people the opportunity to gain valuable experience as they move between study and the beginning of their working lives,' she said. 'The job of the government is to get people back to work but it's going to take time.' Deputy Keaveney said there was a general acceptance among the business community of the current economic situation and that many traders he had spoken to were keen to take part in the internship scheme. 'Many of those I have spoken to have said they can't afford the costs associated with hiring additional staff, but in this scheme there is the perfect opportunity to expand and enhance existing services and businesses at no cost to the employer,' he said. 'The hope is that by the time the interns finish their placements, they have developed sufficient skills to be considered for ongoing employment and if the economic situation improves accordingly there is no reason why this can't happen. 'Only this week both ISME and IBEC have said one in three of their members, the sample involved being 2,000, planned to recruit staff over the coming months, so the potential is there and we have to harness it through initiatives such as Jobs Bridge.' The internship programme is open to anyone in receipt of Jobseekers' Allowance for a minimum of three months. 'It's a vital lifeline for young graduates who can't get employment because they have no experience, and can't get experience without a job,' added Deputy Keaveney. 'We're all sick and tired of seeing our young people leave this country so this scheme is a way for them to stay, and gain new skills to enhance their qualifications,' he said. 'There will be a maximum of 5,000 places available so it is now up to businesses to rise to the challenge and take advantage of what is just one measure being taken to boost the economy and create jobs.' The Jobs Bridge initiative goes live on Friday, July 1 and further information is available from FÃÂS, which is managing the scheme in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.[/private]