The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., has announced the launch of the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS).
YESS is a new work experience scheme targeted exclusively at young jobseekers who are either long-term unemployed or face significant barriers to employment. Work placements will be of three months duration with participants engaging in 24 hours work experience over a week (over three to four days). Participation on the scheme will be wholly voluntary and participants will receive an allowance of €229.20 per week for the duration of their placement.
Commenting at the launch of the scheme, Minister Doherty said: “I am very pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Employment Support Scheme. Although unemployment figures have fallen, youth unemployment remains a concern. The new scheme, along with many other employment support measures, demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to helping our young people break the vicious cycle of ‘no experience – no work or no work – no experience’. The scheme will provide young people with the opportunity to learn important work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement, thereby helping them to increase their employment prospects.”
YESS commences on 1 October 2018. Young people wishing to engage in this scheme can find more information at welfare.ie/YESS or by calling their local Intreo Centre.
Employers who wish to offer a YESS placement can do so by going to the Jobs Ireland website jobsireland or by contacting the Jobs Ireland National Contact Centre on 1890 800024.
