Wexford Local Development is committed to making a positive impact across the county
IT DELIVERS a range of interlinked programmes on behalf of local and national Government to address the needs of individuals and communities across the life cycle within County Wexford.
WLD is a community based organisation working for County Wexford, committed to making a positive impact across the County. This is done by promoting employment, inclusion, supporting enterprise and addressing inequality.
SICAP is a national programme which aims to tackle poverty, social exclusion and unemployment through engagement with stakeholders in local communities. Its vision is to improve the life chances and opportunities of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or in unemployment through community development approaches and targeted supports. This programme began last year and is being delivered in Co. Wexford by Wexford Local Development. The programme is funded via the Local & Community Development Committee.
One of the programme’s goals is to engage with marginalised individuals and residents of disadvantaged communities who are unemployed to move them closer to the labour market and improve work readiness, and support them in accessing employment.
This initiative was established under SICAP with the objective of consolidating and expanding WLD’s relationship with local employers. There has been a significant change in the profile of employment in County Wexford over the past two decades with a move away from agriculture and manufacturing to construction and trades and more recently towards hospitality, general services and retail.
In such an environment it is vital that those who are unemployed receive training that is directly related to the needs of local employers to increase their chances of gaining employment in the local jobs market.
WLD’s dedicated Employer Liaison Officer connects with local employers to identify what their staff requirements are in terms of skills and qualifications and this feeds directly into the design and delivery of WLD’s training programmes. Some of the areas identified during this year were the healthcare, hospitality and retail sectors.
For example, private healthcare providers Home Instead and Bluebird Care work closely with WLD under which individuals participate in training in various Healthcare modules at QQ1 Level 5. This allows for an employer perspective to the training courses which WLD delivers and ensures that their courses are relevant and fit for purpose for those wishing to pursue a career in healthcare.
The company is committed to developing “Employer- Partnerships” with other employers in Co Wexford, in various sectors. In that way Wexford Local Development ensures that its training programmes, provided free of charge to job seekers, are directly related to the demand of the local labour market and the training needs of local employers.
As a result, the company works with local employers to identify what is required of potential employees in terms of skills and qualifications. Bespoke training programmes, delivered by Wexford Local Development, links local employers and local people who are unemployed.
These training programmes are run at various intervals throughout the year and combine general employability skills with work related training. This work-related training is in areas specified by local employers, such as: • Customer Service • ECDL • Abrasive Wheels • Health Care • Food Safety & Hygiene • Barista Skills • Manual Handling • Fork Lift • SafePass • Make Up, Skin Care & Eye Treatment • Communications • Health & Safety • First Aid • Occupational First Aid - starting December
2016
Employers - for further information on how you can be involved in and benefit from this programme, contact Fran Gleeson, Employer Liaison Officer, at Wexford Local Development.
Jobseekers – for further information on how to register for training, and to check out your eligibility, contact the Education & Training Dept. WLD on 053 9155800
While the unemployment rate in Ireland fell to 7.7% nationally in October 2016, the lowest figure since 2008, unemployment in the under 25 year age group remains at 15.1%. What this means for Co. Wexford is that among the 12, 543 people unemployed in October 2016, 1,569 of those are under 25. Not only that, but many of those have had very little or no experience of work or of the modern day workplace.
This programme, run in conjunction with the Dept. of Social Protection, offers young jobseekers (18-24) the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills during a 12 week training programme, followed by a real work placement with an employer for a 3 month duration.
By providing such a placement, a local employer can help tackle local unemployment and sustain the local economy. They can also have the opportunity of observing a potential employee at first hand in their own work environment.
A local employer therefore, can be involved in supporting this local employment initiative at various levels of engagement such as: • Hosting a site visit to your work place • Skill sharing • Facilitating a work placement (2 weeks) • Helping with mock interviews • Giving a talk about your business/area of
expertise • Mentoring • Facilitating work shadowing (1 day) • Participating in Q & A sessions Each participant and employer will be supported by WLD throughout the course of the placement.
How can the Employer benefit from this Programme?
• By supporting this programme you, as an employer, can have input into the training and skills development of potential local employees in the future • You can help keep jobs and skills in Wexford • You can also access cost free training for your own part-time staff with a view to upskilling them for increased employment
If you would like to facilitate a work placement please register your interest by emailing fgleeson@wld.ie
What further help can Wexford Local Development give the Employer?
WLD offer a recruitment service through their Local Employment Service, linking local employers with local jobseekers. Because they have a database of skilled and experienced job seekers, they can save you time and energy in meeting your recruitment needs by: • Advertising job vacancies in their local offices • Referring candidates CV’s to you for review • Shortlisting candidates for interview • Providing post recruitment support This service is FREE and confidential