Begin Again career initiative helps 240 return to workforce
Nationwide programme delivers €4.8m to the Irish State
EXPERIENCED and professional individuals in Limerick who are eager to rejoin the workforce have the opportunity to take up some 300 work placements provided by Begin Again (www.beginagain.ie), a career advancement programme developed by the Irish Centre for Business Excellence (ICBE).
The programme which was launched in 2010 has already placed over 400 unemployed people in work placements throughout Ireland. Over 240 of these have now returned to employment, providing the exchequer with an additional estimated €4.8m on an annualised basis.
Having recently completed the programme, Limerick based Philippa Keogh said, “The Begin Again programme has not only helped me secure employment, it has also very professionally blended my expertise with the company’s requirements. Begin Again is the only programme that has offered me anything concrete in terms of employment opportunities.”
Over 300 Companies have taken part in the programme to date with established companies such as Supermac’s, Boston Scientific and Bewleys all providing work placements and full time employment opportunities. The next Begin Again Programme will take place on May 5 next week.
Funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund, the Begin Again programme has enabled people who were experiencing both short term and long term unemployment gain that crucial foothold back into the workforce. To date 41% of participants have obtained employment, 19% have gained self employment or contracts with a further 5% re-entering the education system. A further 21% are currently in workplaces with real job prospects.
Bryan Marshall, Limerick Co Ordinator for Begin Again is urging more people to take a proactive first step and contact Begin Again by logging onto www.beginagain.ie. “We currently have work placements available right across the country including Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. These positions include roles in Sales, Marketing, Office Administration, IT, Accounting and Research.”
