Forty-six young, unemployed Dubliners graduated today from a work skills programme praised by Tánaiste Joan Burton.

The Tesco-Positive2Work Skillnet programme, now in its second year, was designed to provide young jobseekers with retail and distribution skills and work experience. In total, 180 people have participated in the programme across locations in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Limerick.

The Tánaiste said the programme continued to help young people build skills and knowledge that would enhance their ability to take up a new job.

Keelings co-sponsored the six-week, Fetac-certified programme, which included work placements by Tesco in Tallaght and Donabate and by Keelings in Ballymun.

Barry Moore of Keelings said the students had a good effect on his workplace in Ballymun. “It gave people a lift to see something as positive as this happening on our site.”

Having met the students, Mr Moore said he would “love” to see some of them become employed. “They are third or fourth generation unemployed in their households, and it would be fantastic to help break the cycle.”

Graduate Darren Cooney (24), of Ballymun, said he did the course “to get experience and to hopefully get a job”.

The programme started out in two locations two years ago but is expanding. Speaking before the graduation, Joan Gordon of the Department of Social Protection said "the plan is to roll it out to other locations going forward".

Ciaran Foley of Tesco Ireland said the outcomes have been good so far. “Over 50 per cent are no longer on the live register, so they’re either in employment or full-time education.” Tesco employs a number of past graduates.

The programme is a collaboration between the Department of Social Protection, Tesco Ireland, Positive2Work Skillnet, Keelings, the Department of Education and Skills and Education and Training Boards Ireland.