WORKING TOGETHER
TRAINING people to be more employable is one of the main aims of Wexford Local Development and in order to do this, they need local businesses to get on board.
By partnering with WLD, employers across all sectors can arm local people with vital skills and in turn, they will have the benefit of shaping the employees of the future. The First Steps Programme, which was piloted in Wexford town this year by the WLD, illustrated how beneficial this partnership can be. It sees an employer providing a three month internship to a person, who receives a payment on top of their social welfare payment in return for their work.
‘It went very well this year despite a few challenges. I found that local employers were very supportive and willing to take on and mentor someone. I was surprised with how keen they were to take on a young person, mentor them and give them the benefit of their experience and knowledge. It was a great credit to local employers,’ said Employer Liaison Officer with Wexford Local Development Fran Gleeson. ‘From an employer’s point of view, it is like a three month interview. They get to see someone working up close and might even offer them a job. They can also extend the internship to six or nine months.’
Fran believes that the courses are particularly useful for young people who may be stuck in an employment rut.
‘When young people leave education, it is hard for them to get work. They are told by employers that they need experience to get a job but nobody of the various courses that WLD offer in will give them this experience. It’s catch 22.’ areas such as customer service and healthcare.
WLD are hoping to run the course in another By offering a two week work experience stint Wexford town next year. In the meantime, there to students on these courses, employers can are plenty of other ways that employers can get play a role in getting them on the right road to involved. Real life work experience is a key component employment.
However, Fran understands that not all employers are in a position to take on people for work experience.
‘Many employers are happy to get involved in any way they can. That could be bringing people to see their workplace, having shadowing days, running mock interviews or coming in to talk to the students about their job. Anything that they can offer is great. We are also happy for employers to come along and talk about how they got into business and what they look for in employees,’ he said.
In return, the WLD will gear their training courses to what employers need.
‘We tailor our training courses to what local employers need to give the students that edge. As a local development group, we want to help local people to get jobs locally. Travel is a huge barrier to employment.’
Through working with both sides, the WLD hope to unite employers and employees and work towards solving the problem of unemployment in Wexford.
‘It all helps us to bring both sides together. We are like matchmakers; we bring the world of the employer closer to people looking for work.’
Employers interested in getting on board can contact Fran Gleeson on 053 915 5872/ 087 760 0370 or via email on fgleeson@wld.ie. Meanwhile, those interested in enrolling in one of their courses for next year can contact the WLD office on 053 9155800.