Scheme to help young people get jobs extended to North Kildare

A new innovative experience for jobs programme for some of Ireland’s most disadvantaged young people has been extended to North Kildare.

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