Published on 

Minister Burton and Martin Murphy launch regional roadshow programme to promote JobBridge opportunities

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD and Mr. Martin Murphy Managing Director of HP Ireland and chair of the Steering Group on the National Internship Scheme, today Wednesday 14th September, highlighted the success of JobBridge in its first ten weeks.  The scheme already has in excess of 2,600 opportunities available on its website, with 1,124 individuals placed in internships.  Minister Burton was speaking in Athlone at the launch of the regional roadshow programme for JobBridge.

A number of companies have already signed up to the scheme and the purpose of the regional roadshows is to ensure that a wide geographic spread of companies from across Ireland are informed on the benefits of engaging in JobBridge.  It is also hoped that the roadshows will assist with the recruitment of interns to fill available positions.   

Since its commencement, a variety of measures have been introduced to protect an intern and safeguard the scheme from abuse.  In order for an application from a host organisation to be approved, it must meet a number of criteria to ensure that the potential internship is one of quality.  The JobBridge team have a strict vetting process in place to ensure that proposed internships meet the quality requirements. 

Commenting on the success of the scheme to date Minister Burton said, “JobBridge is a central pillar in the Government’s Jobs Initiative strategy as it assists those seeking employment to gain valuable experience while enhancing their prospects of securing employment.  I am delighted with the current high level of interest from companies in the JobBridge scheme. At the time of JobBridge’s launch I issued a call to action to the companies and I am very pleased that so many have actively engaged with the programme. It is my intention that the series of roadshows that commence today will encourage companies throughout Ireland to participate in JobBridge and offer valuable internship opportunities to those seeking employment”.

The Minister continued, “As there are in excess of 2,600 internship opportunities currently available on the JobBridge website, I am now calling on prospective interns to seriously consider participating in the JobBridge scheme. There are internships available to individuals of all skill levels ranging from those who left school early to highly qualified graduates of third level. The beauty of JobBridge is that it can offer a diverse range of jobseekers an opportunity that will at the very least enhance their employability.”

 

Marking the launch of the road shows, the Chair of the Steering Group and Managing Director of HP Ireland, Mr. Martin Murphy said, “I am extremely impressed by what has been achieved since this scheme was launched on July 1st.  We have had over 100 interns starting every week which augurs extremely well for us to deliver and exceed on our objective of 5,000 employees for the life of the scheme. 

This is a model that can deliver real value to all involved.  For interns, it offers a real chance to equip them with skills, getting them back into the workplace with the opportunity to secure long term employment. Employers, on the other hand, can benefit hugely from the talented people we have in this country, who can bring new and fresh ideas to the company.

 JobBridge now must become hardwired into the fabric of opportunities for people who are looking for a chance to gain valuable work experience and develop their skills. We look forward to building on the success of the programme to date so that employers and employees can benefit alike from this scheme.”

The JobBridge scheme aims to provide those seeking employment with the opportunity to gain valuable experience, maintain close links with the labour market and to enhance their skills and competencies through an internship. JobBridge, which is an entirely voluntary scheme offers opportunities to up to 5,000 individuals of all skill levels, including the low skilled, and provides them with an enhanced prospect of securing employment in the future.

Over the next five weeks four road shows will take place in Athlone (14th September), Galway (28th September), Cork (30th September) and Limerick (12th October).  The Minister will attend the first road show in Athlone with Martin Murphy, Managing Director of HP and Chair of the Steering Committee who will also attend in Limerick on October 12th.  Sean O’Driscoll, member of the steering committee and Managing Director of Glen Dimplex will oversee the road shows in Galway and Cork.