FOR JOB seekers in a contracting domestic economy, the difficulties are obvious. Job opportunities are scarce as employers remain reluctant to hire in a low-growth environment marked by great economic uncertainty.
The young, whether new graduates, school leavers or those who have completed apprenticeship or training programmes, are handicapped by their lack of work experience. And those who have lost their jobs – who now make up one in seven of the labour force – must re-equip themselves with the skills needed in a rapidly changing labour market. JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme launched by the Government this week, offers support, encouragement and hope to such people. For those selected, the scheme is an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, whether that be with some of the State’s top companies, national and multinational, or with the public, community and voluntary sectors.
The initial targets remain relatively modest: some 5,000 places are offered for a six or nine-month period to those on the Live Register for at least three months. Those who take up the internship can retain existing social welfare benefits – including any secondary benefits such as medical card and rent supplement that they enjoy – and receive an additional €50 weekly payment. Clearly, such a scheme could be open to abuse, not least by unscrupulous employers who may attempt to use it as a source of cheap labour through a displacement process – by replacing an existing employee. To ensure against this, safeguards are in place. Employers should look at how they can help ensure its success in a non- exploitative way.
Some public scepticism about the new programme would be understandable. Over the years governments promising ambitious job initiatives of different kinds have had a poor record of success. In December’s budget, the then government outlined very ambitious plans for an additional 15,000 places in various work placement schemes, of which little was heard subsequently.
The relative modesty of the Government’s plans this time – a third of placements proposed by its predecessor – reflects the tight fiscal constraints that apply and the need to set a target that can be met. This scheme should perhaps best be seen as a stepping stone towards employment. One where – as the Minister for Social Protection said – the internship period would also serve as “a job interview for a longer period of employment”.