Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick says he isn't out to save the world when he urges companies to join a scheme that helps provide jobs for homeless people. However, he intends to use his connections to encourage firms to take the challenge of providing jobs for homeless people, some of them former prisoners.

"It's not writing the cheque," says Mr FitzPatrick. "It's actually providing support and trying to get people re-employed. Don't give me a cheque. Give me a job."

He chairs the Ready for Work initiative, a body that provides training for job candidates and work opportunities with member companies. In a four-year review published today, the body says 118 candidates have completed its training programme since 2002. Some 53 candidates commenced work, 44 accessed further training and education, and 19 are now living independently. "This is on a small scale, but we want to grow it," says Mr FitzPatrick.

While not all homeless people will be able to take up employment, he says the scheme provides a route into work for those who have the potential to take up a job. Homeless agencies refer candidates to a training programme. If successful, they enter a two-week job placement and a possible nine-month contract.

Participants included "Jim", an experienced, well-educated man in his 50s, who was homeless for three years due to alcoholism.

"He completed his placement, was offered a job and has been working and living in his own place, independent of the homeless services for more than a year. He now has a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, which have returned with sustained employment," the report says.

Mr FitzPatrick says Ready for Work needs "heroes" among its candidates, but says most participants will attain only basic employment. For men in particular, the biggest challenge is to "stay out institutional life". For all participants, the goal is to "do all the things that other people do" in ordinary jobs.

Last January, the scheme established a "buddying" and job coaching system in which workers mentor participants. He says this brings challenges, but increases the chances of success.

Member companies include Anglo Irish Bank, Marks & Spencer, PEI marketing, Brown Thomas, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cherry Orchard Equine Centre and the Radisson and Jurys Doyle hotel groups.

Mr FitzPatrick says the business community has the potential to help homeless people into the workforce.