INOU Seminar. "Getting It Right"

8 Dec 2008

Today's seminar, on the 9th December, is part of a project the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed undertook to explore unemployed people's experience of education and training. Initially it was envisaged that the project would feed into the Department of Social and Family Affairs new 'activation' role as outlined for them in a range of policy documents including the National Development Plan and 'Towards 2016'.

Since these documents were published unemployment has risen very dramatically. In November 2008 the Standardised Unemployment Rate was 7.8%, while in 2006 it was 4.3% and in 2007 it was 4.7%. This rapidly changing situation will provide considerable challenges for unemployed people. As one participant noted "having finished the course I had taken due to hope of work opportunities, I'm now finding most temporary placement agencies are even looking for minimum of 6 months office experience. I've done the course but have no way to get the experience."

At today's event, Gerrit Jan Schep, Director with StimulanSZ Foundation will talk about re-integration strategies in the Netherlands; Hugh Rodgers, FAS will talk about the Mahon Point Development Project which matched up local development with training and employment opportunities; and Bríd O'Brien, Head of Policy and Media with the INOU will provide the findings from the four workshops held with unemployed people.

Looking to the future and potential developments, one participant noted how important it was that "when going for a course agencies need to listen to the individual and find courses that suit their desires. Matching people to courses isn't just a numbers game it needs to be done in a concerted and reputable manner."

For further information contact:
Bríd O'Brien, INOU Head of Policy and Media: 086 608 9641