A genuine opportunity is about to open up in Galway for people who find themselves unemployed for more than 12 months with the launch of two innovative programmes under the Government funded and EU supported Momentum Initiative.
In March 2013 The Irish Centre for Business Excellence (ICBE ) in conjunction with City and Guilds will deliver two full-time programmes over a period of 20 weeks, combining employability training with technical training and a directed work placement. Those interested should contact their local Employment Services Office to confirm their eligibility and to be placed on a panel for consideration.
The programmes – one in Warehousing and Logistics and the other in Business Process Improvement - have been designed to create genuine job opportunities by helping participants to refocus their talents and revitalise their skills through formal training and one-to-one mentoring. The programmes will cover areas of business support such as administration, systems, customer service, project management, procurement, supply chain management and organisational support and will provide participants with the training and contacts needed to secure employment.
Speaking about the programmes available in Galway, Pat O’Connor, Chief Executive of ICBE explained, “Business support workers are the backbone of the economy. These courses will give participants skills they can apply to any work situation in any business sector. Each programme will embrace training in personal development and leadership, helping those who are unemployed to regain the self-confidence and resilience to obtain employment. About 60 per cent of people who are unemployed have been out of work for over a year and many of these are experienced people who never expected to be without work.
ICBE previously delivered the ‘Begin Again’ programme which showed the impact that training and support can have in helping someone who is unemployed find a meaningful work opportunity. We have appointed two experienced business mentors Jim Cahill (Warehousing and Logistics ) and Nuala Greenan (Business Process Improvement ). Jim and Nuala will work with each participant to find a suitable work placement where both existing skills and new knowledge acquired on the programme can be applied. The mentors will also help them implement a successful project in their work placement and support their efforts to gain employment on completion of the programme. The training will provide qualifications from City and Guilds and from the Institute of Leadership and Management”
These programmes are funded by government under the Momentum Skills programme which is investing €20 million in 2013 to provide free education and training places for up to 6,500 people.
The Warehousing and Logistics programme starts on March 11 and the Business Process Improvement programme starts on March 25 in Galway City. The programmes are open to those who are at least 12 months on the live register and in receipt of jobseekers benefit or allowance or signing on for social insurance credit for at least 12 months and actively seeking work.
For further information on the programmes and how to register please visit the City and Guilds website www.cityandguilds.com/ireland/momentum or email Nuala Greenan at [email protected] or Jim Cahill at [email protected].
