For alternative information on training courses for people who are not in employment see www.fas.ie

For information on courses provided by TBG Learning’s partner organisation National Learning Network see  www.nln.ie

The development follows approval from the Department of Education and Skills for additional places to be made available on the programme, which will now continue until the end of June in these four locations. This funding arises as a result of the redistribution of savings achieved under the Labour Market Activation Fund to deliver additional places within the lifetime of the fund.

JobFit is delivered by TBG Learning in partnership with National Learning Network – both Rehab Group companies – and provides free skills training leading to nationally-recognised qualilfications, free job search support and free work placements with local employers.

All participants receive Employability Skills Training, including support producing a CV, letter-writing and interview skills. In some cases, this will also include support in personal presentation and communication skills, as well as computer skills training, all of which aid people to move closer to the labour market. Where a participant’s previous employment experience is in a sector affected by the economic downturn, identification of transferable skills is also provided to help them to see how these will benefit them in new and established sectors.

Across the country more than 1,500 people have benefited from JobFit, with almost 300 people having already entered employment as a result.

Aislinn Bobbett, JobFit Centre Co-ordinator, commented: “We are delighted that the JobFit centres in Dublin, Castlebar, Cork and Limerick have been given the opportunity to continue supporting those who are unemployed in these areas. The experienced and friendly staff in the centres are delighted to chat with anyone interested in signing up for the programme which has proven itself to be a success and we look forward to supporting new participants. Anyone interested in participating in JobFit should contact us now on Freefone 1850 99 5000.”

Over the past number of weeks, events have been taking place to mark the many achievements of the participants, with certificates being presented by local dignitaries.

The programme has been particularly successful, with latest figures showing almost 300 people having entered employment, 124 progressing to further education, and more than 1,000 people undertaking a FETAC qualification with almost 750 awards being achieved to date.

Andrew Conlan-Trant, Director of Labour Market Services, Rehab Group, said, “We are delighted to be presenting these awards to our JobFit participants and to be celebrating their many successes. They are to be commended for their enthusiasm and hard work.

“It is wonderful to see some of our participants enjoying their new job, others progressing to further education and many more enhancing their employment prospects with additional qualifications and work experience. We very much look forward to seeing them put their new skills, expertise and confidence into action and to the valuable contribution that they will undoubtedly make to our communities.”

JobFit is a personalised programme for unemployed people, lasting up to 13 weeks, offering free skills training, free job search support and free work placements with local employers. Amongst the courses which may be offered as part of the programme are information technology skills, health and social care, consumer awareness, manual handling, workplace safety, workplace cleaning and food hygiene. On successful completion, participants can achieve FETAC Level 3 Preparation for Work, FETAC Level 3 Work Orientation, and FETAC Level 3 computer literacy qualifications. JobFit is available to people who have been receiving benefits for a minimum of three months and who are qualified to Junior Certificate level or below.

At the Open Day in Blanchardstown, JobFit advisers will be on hand to offer advice, guidance and support to people in their quest to find employment. Local employers are also being encouraged to drop in and meet the JobFit Employer Liaison Co-ordinator and hear about the programme’s work placement opportunities. In the event that an employer decides ultimately to employ a participant, there is a range of benefits, including recruitment cost savings, candidate skill set matching, JobFit support for new employees in the workplace, and possible eligibility for the Government’s new Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme.

To find out more about JobFit, simply log onto www.jobfit.ie, email blanchardstown@jobfit.ie or Freefone 1800 303 358. Come and see what JobFit has to offer you!

JobFit aims to help people who have been unemployed and in receipt of a social welfare payment for three months or more, and who are qualified to Junior Certificate level or below, to get a job or move onto further education or employment-related training. JobFit is a free programme, which can last up to 13 weeks, offering training that leads to nationally-recognised qualifications, work placements with local employers and tailored support and guidance, and is delivered by TBG Learning in partnership with National Learning Network.

Eleven JobFit centres operate around the country—in Blanchardstown, Smithfield, Tallaght, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Castlebar, Athlone and Dundalk. JobFit is funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund of the Department of Education and Skills and the European Social Fund of the European Union.

Speaking at the event Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD said, “The Government is investing €32million in the Labour Market Activation Fund to provide training to 12,000 people this year. Some 59 projects across the country are providing relevant participant-centred programmes for the unemployed designed to enhance their prospects of achieving real outcomes which will lead closer to the labour market. JobFit is already showing evidence of getting people back to work through its programme which I’m very pleased to officially launch today.”

Angela Kerins, Chief Executive of the Rehab Group said, “JobFit is a flexible, supportive programme, which helps people to identify and play to their strengths. It is working extremely well, with high participation rates in every centre. What we are seeing on the programme is people gaining confidence, improving their ability to look for jobs and to plan their future. We already have some great success stories, with people working towards qualifications, gaining employment and being accepted onto training programmes.”

Discussing the role of the employer, Andrew Conlan-Trant, Head of TBG Learning added, “Work experience and progression into jobs is a key component of the JobFit programme. We have received a great reaction from employers, many of whom are actively seeking new employees who are job-ready and can meet their needs.”

Amongst the modules on offer by JobFit are information technology skills, health and social care, consumer awareness, manual handling, workplace safety and food hygiene. On successful completion, participants can achieve FETAC Level 3 Preparation for Work, FETAC Level 3 Computer Literacy and FETAC Level 3 Work Orientation qualifications. JobFit participants who qualify for a social welfare payment may qualify to retain that benefit while on the programme and JobFit will continue to support those who secure employment for up to three months.

If you’re unemployed, or you know someone who is, the mobile training unit will be in your area soon, so drop in for an informal chat:

Dundalk
Long Walk Shopping Centre, Long Walk Road
November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

Dublin
Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Grange Road
November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th

Athlone
Golden Island Shopping Centre
November 10th and 17th

Limerick
Parkway Shopping Centre, Dublin Road
November 18th

Waterford
Ballybricken Car Park
November  5th, 19th and 26th

Kilkenny
Market Yard Car Park, Dunsdores Shopping Centre
November 3rd and 24th

Cork
Ballincollig Shopping Centre
November 4th and 25th

Castlebar
Location to be confirmed
November 11th

Galway
Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road
November 12th

If you’re unemployed, or you know someone who is, the mobile training unit will be in your area soon, so drop in for an informal chat:

Dundalk
Long Walk Shopping Centre, Long Walk Road
October  4th, 11th, 18th and 25th

Dublin
Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Grange Road
October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

Athlone
Golden Island Shopping Centre
October 6th, 20th and 27th

Limerick
Parkway Shopping Centre, Dublin Road
October 7th and 28th

Waterford
Ballybricken Car Park
October 8th, 15th and 29th

Kilkenny
Market Yard Car Park, Dunsdores Shopping Centre
October 13th 

Cork
NLN Rehab Group Car Park, Hollyhill
October 14th

Castlebar
Location to be confirmed
October 21st

Galway
Galway  Shopping Centre, Headford Road
October 1st and 22nd

All are welcome aboard the unit to find out how JobFit can help them. On board our friendly staff will talk you through the JobFit programme and any help we may be able to give. Guests can register for the free programme on board.

If you’re unemployed, or you know someone who is, the mobile training unit will be in your area soon, so drop in for an informal chat.

Dundalk
Long Walk Shopping Centre, Long Walk Road
September 20^th and 27^th

Dublin
Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Grange Road
September 21^st and 28^th

Athlone
Golden Island Shopping Centre
September 29^th

Limerick
Parkway Shopping Centre, Dublin Road
September 16^th

Waterford
Ballybricken Car Park
September 17^th and 24^th

Kilkenny
Market Yard Car Park, Dunsdores Shopping Centre
September 22^nd

Cork
Mahon Point Shopping Centre
September 23rd

Castlebar
Castlebar Tesco
September 30^th

Galway
Galway  Shopping Centre, Headford Road
September 10^th

TBG Learning, established over 25 years ago has an excellent track record in providing training and skills preparation to people in the UK who are distant from the labour market. TBG delivers a wide range of programmes and government initiatives such as New Deal, Response to Redundancy, Modern Apprenticeships and Community Task Force. TBG works in partnership with local authorities, Learning and Skills Councils, Colleges of Further Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, supporting over 30,000 people annually to achieve a qualification and progress directly to employment or further education.

National Learning Network is a long-established organisation in Ireland with a distinguished reputation and vast experience in the delivery of FETAC accredited training. Over 4,500 people are trained annually by National learning Network through individualised person-centred provision which supports people to achieve their full potential. Over 90% of those who complete training progress to further education or training or directly to employment.

Angela Kerins, Chief Executive of the Rehab Group, said “Together, TBG Learning and National Learning Network will provide innovative flexible solutions to people seeking to upskill and enter or re-enter the labour market. JobFit is focused on helping people to take stock of the skills that they have, build on these in a safe and friendly environment and help define future career paths, whether in employment or further training and education.

“This partnership brings together a tremendous mix of skills and experience. TBG Learning is vastly experienced in providing training of this nature in the UK with great success. NLN’s unique approach to supporting students with specific needs has produced impressive results over many years.

In these challenging times Rehab is delighted to play its part in this is important initiative. This essential programme ensures that thousands of people will have the opportunity to gain the skills that they need to compete in today’s difficult economy. We will continue to develop our extensive network of partnerships with employers and other providers to give the very best possible service to all clients choosing to train with us”.

Following finalisation of discussions with the Department of Education and Skills JobFit will shortly be launched. It is intended to run the programme in ten locations around Ireland – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Castlebar, Dundalk, Waterford and Athlone – identified as having high levels of long-term unemployment.

The model of provision will generally entail a 13 week, full-time programme of employment-focused provision to long-term unemployed participants who are under the age of 35 and who are at NFQ level 3 or below. The programme will include employability and soft skills support, vocational training and qualifications, a work placement and on the job support for both the employer and the participants who move into employment. The programme will ensure that participants are equipped for modern job search and achieve job-readiness.