Kilkenny Leader Partnership has launched a new programme to help get Kilkenny’s long-term unemployed people back into the workforce.
Named TÚS, which means ‘beginning’ in English, the programme will provide 80 long-term unemployed people with a 12-month work placement in community and voluntary organisations across Kilkenny. The TÚS programme will match each participant to a work placement best suited to his/her skills and areas of professional interest, with the aim of helping participants upskill and gain work experience.
The programme also includes training and programmes which will be personalised to best suit each participant. Courses provided by the TÚS programme include CV preparation; ICT and ECDL training; interview preparation and more.
“This programme is the first of its kind in the country, aiming to get 80 long-term unemployed people back into employment through training and work placements, tailored to best suit each participant,” said Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny Leader Partnership.
“As part of our Employability Strategy, we are always working towards helping Kilkenny’s unemployed get back into the work force and this programme is a continuation of this work”
Participants on the programme will be referred from the Department of Social Protection to Kilkenny Leader Partnership. There is no self-referral system on to the programme. In addition to benefiting people unemployed, the TÚS programme’s work placements will also assist communities and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural Kilkenny and there has been an excellent response from those interested in taking part.
The first group of participants have started in placements with Piltown Development Association, Kilmacow Community Centre, and Fiddown Tidy Towns Association, Loughboy Area Resource Centre, Kilkenny Leader Partnership Warmer Homes Project, Mill Family Resource Centre in Urlingford, Droichead Family Resource Centre in Callan, Enable Ireland, and Ring A Link.
Community organisations interested in the TÚS programme can download an application form from the Kilkenny Leader Partnership website, www.cklp.ie, or call the office on 056 7752111.
