Work placements available for Members of the GAA

Begin Again career initiative helps 240 return to workforce

Members of the GAA who are eager to rejoin the workforce have the opportunity to take up some 300 work placements provided by Begin Again(www.beginÓgain.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.

The ICBE Begin Again programme provides participants with the opportunity to partake in a highly targeted twelve week work placement within a suitable company. The Programme is a mix of certified training, internship and mentoring, with four central themes; employment and employability, resilience and well being, innovation and enterprise and lifelong learning and training.

Over 300 Companies have taken part in the programme to date with established companies such as Supermacs, Boston Scientific and Bewleys all providing work placements and full time employment opportunities.

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.

Reflecting on the programme, Trevor Quinn a recent participant said, "Begin Again offered me an ideal platform to secure work in a difficult economic climate. Following three months with The Mayo News on the Begin Again programme the newspaper has now offered me a new contract. The group dynamic on our training days was supportive, positive and practical throughout. I couldnt recommend the programme highly enough, a fantastic initiative which enables unemployed professionals to source employment and thrive again in a working environment."

Mike Gaffney, spokesperson for Begin Again is urging more people to take a proactive first step and contact Begin Again by logging onto www.beginÓgain.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."

The Begin Again programme is primarily aimed at experienced and professional individuals who, once given the opportunity are bringing real value to a company or business. All participants taking part in the Begin Again programme must have availed of unemployment assistance from the Social Welfare for the period of three months. Begin Again participants retain all of their social welfare benefits during the work placement programme.

Explaining the impact of Begin Again, Pat OConnor, CEO of the ICBE said, "We have seen participants come from a broad range of backgrounds and educational levels including engineers, accountants, quantity surveyors, sales and administration professionals and operational level people. Having had a successful outcome for over three quarters of our 400 participants, 49% of whom were long term unemployed, we believe we are providing a valuable service for the Irish public and the Irish State. We estimate that Begin Again is costing less than 50% of any previous government sponsored labour market activation programme."

The strength of the programme is its ability to successfully match individuals skills and expertise with industry gaps and opportunities. Participants meet with a number of possible companies to discuss the mutual benefits of a work placement. As a result of the work placements; applicants gain additional experience as well as mentoring support and training whilst the companies gain an additional member of staff for a focused project to be delivered at no extra cost. The overall benefit for both is the prospect of full time employment and in securing an up-skilled focused employee.

For further information on the Begin Again programme go to www.beginÓgain.ie or call 061 371753

Issued on behalf of Begin Again by Murray Consultants.

For Further Information please contact
John McGuinness
Murray Consultants
01 498 0361
087 6417451
jmcguinness@murrayconsult.ie

 

 

06-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Coca-Cola has established the Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund, in partnership with The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action NICVA). Coca-Cola are donating €125,000 to the fund which will be granted to non-profit community, voluntary and charitable organisations throughout the island of Ireland to help support initiatives focused on the following areas; Social and Education Programmes aimed at Youth, Healthy and Active Lifestyles, and Environmental Leadership. Ten organisations will receive €10,000 each and five organisations will receive €5000 each.

Visit the Coca-Cola website for further details.

 

 

 

04-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Coiste Chontae Liatroma extend deepest sympathy to the family of the late May Sammon, Aughnasheelin who passed away yesterday (Tuesday 31st May). 

The Sammon family have a long association with Leitrim GAA and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. 

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.  

 

 

Funeral Announcement and Arrangements.

The death has occurred of May SAMMON, (née Murphy) of Derrinkeher McDonald, Aughnasheelin, Leitrim

Formerly of Killarkin, Leitrim village, peacefully in her own home, in the loving care of her family, after a short illness borne with dignity and courage. Much loved wife of Michael and adored mother of Anne, Mary, Padraig, Majella, the late Sean and angel Rose, Miceál, Brendan, Cáit and Declan. She will be sadly missed by her heartbroken husband and family, her daughters-in-law, Caroline, Cathy, Shirley and Nuala, sons-in-law, BrianÓgallogly, Micheal Quinn, Vincent Maher and Adrian Cullen, her 20 cherished grandchildren, nephews cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. 

May She Rest in Peace
Prayers in her home on Wednesday evening (1st June) at 7.30pm. Removal from her home to St. Marys Church Aughnasheelin on Thursday morning (2nd June) for funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. 

House private on Thursday morning, please. Family flowers only, donations, in lieu, to the Irish Cancer Society.

 

 

01-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO