Rehab’s innovative JobFit programme, which operated a centre in Castlebar between August 2010 and June 2011, has reported that 54 per cent of participants on the employment and training skills course in the town went on to secure a job or progressed on to further education or training. A total of 205 people who were unemployed enrolled in the centre and outcomes of participants were tracked up to October 31, 2011.
The JobFit programme was undertaken for a time-specific period through funding from the Labour Market Activation Fund of the Department of Education and Skills and the European Social Fund. It was delivered by TBG Learning in partnership with National Learning Network – both Rehab Group companies. The aim of the programme was to support people who were unemployed in getting a job or moving on to further education or employment-related training.
JobFit, Rehab group chief executive Angela Kerins commented:
“Those who have gone on to secure employment are working in areas such as retail, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, care and security roles and more, as a result of honing and gaining new skills through the programme. We are also confident that those participants whom we supported in progressing onto further and higher education are also in an excellent position to capitalise on future opportunities.”
Targeting individuals who had been in receipt of a social welfare payment for three months or more and qualified to Junior Certificate or below, JobFit offered participants a personalised programme lasting up to 13 weeks which included free skills training, nationally-recognised qualifications, free job search support, and free work placements with local employers.
