Hundreds of jobseekers and employers who are looking to plug skills gaps in their organisations are expected to descend on Hotel Meyrick tomorrow Friday, as the Springboard+ Showcase arrives in the city.
The Showcase, free and open to the public, will exhibit the many courses that Springboard+ has to offer jobseekers, across 42 higher education institutions in Ireland.
On offer is the opportunity to meet companies actively recruiting in the Galway region, to talk with Springboard+ course providers and receive one-to-one career advice from Careers Advisors, Employers and Springboard+ staff.
The event will be a welcome boost to jobseekers in the Galway area. Unemployment in Galway City, for example, currently stands, at 8,943 people. With 296 courses Springboard+ offers those still out of work the multiple chances to reskill and discover new employment opportunities.
Set up in 2011 Springboard+ is part of Government’s Skills to Work initiative. Courses focus on areas such as ICT, Manufacturing, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills and International Financial Services.
The programme has a proven track record in helping people get back to work. To date, over 21,000 people have participated on one of its courses. Recently released figures indicate a high success rate in getting people back to work. 52% of 2014 Springboard+ graduates were back in work within six months of completing their course, some as employees and a significant number as self-employed. 74% of all Springboard+ participants 2011-2014 are no longer on the Live register.
A survey of all graduates 2011 – 2014 indicates that within two years of completing a Springboard course, 60% of respondents are employed or self-employed, with progression to employment steadily increasing over time.
The success of the programme has led to Springboard+’s expansion. 9,000 new course places on 296 individual courses, at a cost of €27million to the Exchequer, but free to participants are offered.
Alan McGrath, Manager, Skills and Enterprise Engagement, Higher Education Authority says that, “in showcasing the Springboard+ programme we are also reflecting the power and potential of the Galway region,”
“Our feedback tells us that business and graduates want the same thing when it comes to skills and jobs. Springboard+ provides solutions for both because the courses nurture highly motivated graduates with the job-ready skills that employers need today.”
Springboard+’s unique attraction lies in its specifically tailored courses, designed to meet the needs of today’s market. All courses are one-year or less in duration and aim to re-skill people in areas where there are job opportunities now and in the future. Participants who complete these courses will be awarded a higher education or training award at Levels 6 to 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ ).
The Springboard+ Showcase in Galway will allow people to find out more about these courses and to sample the opportunities that it offers. The event takes place tomorrow (August 14 ) in the Meyrick Hotel. Entry is free and doors will be open 1-7pm.
To find out more visit www.springboardcourses.ie
