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Government launches consultation on Flexible Working under Future Jobs Ireland<ul><li>Consultation seeks the views of employers, employees, trade unions and the general public on flexible working</li><li>Flexible working is crucial to young families and those with disabilities</li></ul>11 December 2019, The Government has launched a consultation seeking the public’s views on flexible working as part of Future Jobs Ireland, the whole of Government plan to prepare our businesses and workers for the future.Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, launched the consultation process in Government Buildings this morning.This consultation is being undertaken to seek views from employers, employees, trades unions and the wider public on the types of flexible working arrangements currently in place and the changes that they wish to see.Also under consideration is the potential impact of changes in technology, the workplace, the family and society on the types of flexible working arrangements available to employees and the potential obstacles that may exist for small, medium and large employers when facilitating flexible working arrangements.Launching the consultation process, Minister Humphreys said:“As we approach full employment, we need to be more creative about how we look at the world of work. That’s exactly what we’re doing through Future Jobs Ireland, the whole-of-Government plan to prepare our businesses and workers for the future. Flexible working has the potential to bring huge benefits to employers and employees alike. It can improve work / life balance and make things a bit easier for families. It can also help businesses to attract and retain staff in an increasingly competitive labour market. Obviously, however, any new Government policy needs to have buy-in from businesses in the first instance, which is why we want to hear their views, together with the views of workers, to decide the best way forward.”Minister Stanton said:“We are seeking to develop a policy that takes account of the needs of families, particularly those with young children, of individuals, including those with disabilities, of employers and of the broader economy. Flexible working arrangements can support parents to balance caring and work responsibilities. They can also be crucial for those caring for older people or those with disabilities as well as for employees who themselves have disabilities.”Flexible working options may include:<ul><li>starting or finishing work at differing times</li><li>working compressed hours</li><li>having access to flexi-time</li><li>being able to work remotely</li><li>having the right to disconnect outside work hours.</li></ul>Flexible working can also include access to part-time or shared working options.There are a number of ways people can have their say on flexible working. Detailed submissions are invited and can be made by emailing flexibleworkingconsultation@justice.ie.Alternatively, you can submit your views by completing a short questionnaire on the Department of Justice and Equality’s website. The survey and additional information about the consultation can be found at <a href="http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Public_Consultation_on_Flexible_Working">http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Public_Consultation_on_Flexible_Working</a>The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on the 31/01/2020Submissions received will be uploaded on justice.ie/xxx along with a report on the consultation process.ENDSNotes for Editor:What questions make up the consultation?Your views are sought on the following questions:Employees:<ul><li>Does your employer offer flexible working arrangements? Which arrangements are available?</li><li>As an employee, what sort of flexible working arrangements do you need or would you like to see in your workplace?</li><li>In your opinion, which flexible working arrangements should be prioritised?</li><li>Which actions do you think could be undertaken by the Government to enable you to have access to flexible working options?</li><li>Which actions do you think should be introduced by employers?</li></ul>Employers:<ul><li>As an employer, what sort of flexible working arrangements work best for you?</li><li>Do you offer flexible working arrangements to your employees? Which options do you offer?</li><li>Are there actions that can be taken by Government that can reduce any negative impact of flexible working arrangements for you as an employer?</li><li>Are there new and emerging technological supports or solutions that you would like to see explored or introduced? How would these directly impact on your business?</li></ul>Trade unions:<ul><li>What is the current position on flexible working arrangements for your members?</li><li>Which actions would you like to see introduced by Government to improve the range of flexible working arrangements available to your members?</li><li>Which actions would you like to see introduced by employers to enable your members to have access to flexible working arrangements?</li><li>Are there penalties for employees who access flexible working arrangements?</li></ul>What will we do with your responses?The Government will use the answers that you give to these questions to develop a policy on flexible working in 2020. It will prepare a report that will summarise the findings from this consultation. The Government will draw on the findings of this consultation to consider whether or not new legislation is needed. It will also consider whether existing supports meet the needs of businesses and employees and if additional supports are required. It will look at how technology and working methods can help employers and employees to have flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of employee and business alike. About Future Jobs IrelandFuture Jobs Ireland is a Government of Ireland initiative with deliverables assigned across a range of Government Departments and agencies. Future Jobs Ireland incorporates five pillars as set out below (along with some illustrative examples):<ol><li>Embracing innovation and technological change – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that promote and enable RD&amp;I among enterprise; encourage digitalisation; and support the development and adoption of technology.</li><li>Improving SME productivity – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that enhance productivity, especially among SMEs; promote indigenous entrepreneurship, especially in the regions; encourage clustering and stronger links between domestic and foreign owned firms; and assist businesses to move up the value chain.</li><li>Enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that enhance Ireland’s human capital offering, including in areas such as ICT and management skills; develop Irelands’ vocational and third level institutions; improve Lifelong Learning rates, and ETB initiatives that enable disadvantaged groups to return to the workforce.</li><li>Increasing participation in the labour force – this includes supports, policies or initiatives focused on improving labour market participation, especially among young people, older workers, women and people with disabilities; improving the supply and cost of childcare; enabling more flexible working arrangements; and streamlining immigration procedures.</li><li>Transitioning to a low carbon economy – this includes supports, policies or initiatives aimed at expanding renewable energy generation; retrofitting of buildings to improve energy efficiency; roll-out of electric vehicles; and enterprise / employment opportunities in the green/circular/bio economy.</li></ol>Each Pillar sets high level targets for 2025. Overall, Future Jobs Ireland 2019 includes 26 meaningful and impactful ambitions supported by 127 deliverables for completion in 2019.Central to Future Jobs Ireland is a re-orientation of policy from the numbers of gross jobs created in the economy, to the creation of more productive and sustainable jobs. It will focus on the challenges ahead in terms of ensuring we have skilled people working in quality jobs in sustainable sectors. Future Jobs Ireland will also ensure our enterprises and workers are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes our economy and society will face in the years ahead.

Irish Government seeking your opinion on a flexible work policy in Ireland

COMPETITION TIME!We are giving away three €100 One4All Vouchers to help you in the run up to Christmas. How to enter:Competition 1:You can enter either through Facebook or Instagram.Facebook:• Share our competition post on Facebook• Like any of our Facebook pages (We have a Facebook page for every county in Ireland/N. Ireland)• Tag 3 friends in the comment section Instagram• Share our competition post to your story and tag our page• Follow any of our Instagram pages • Tag a friend in the comment section The 3 winners will be announced Thursday the 17th of December 2020. The €100 One4All voucher will be posted out to the winner on the very same day.Best of luck to all who enter. From the entire team at JobAlert.ie we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!Competition terms and conditions:1. The promoter is: Job Alert Ltd whose registered office is at Loughshinny, Skerries, Co. Dublin.2. The competition is open to residents of Ireland aged 16 and over.3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.4. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.5. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are above. The Competition will be run on all social media platforms.6. Only one entry will be accepted per person. Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified.7. Closing date for entry will be the 17th December 2020. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.8. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.9. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows:Entering on Facebook: Share the competition post, Like any of our Facebook pages and Tag 3 friends in the comment section of the post. Entering on Instagram: Share the competition post to your stories, Follow any of our Instagram pages and Tag a friend in the comment section of the post.10. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.11. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.12. The prize is as follows: A One4All Gift Card to the value of €100.The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prize is not transferable.13. Winner will be chosen: 17th December 2020 at random by software, from all entries received and verified by Promoter and or its agents.14. The winner will be notified by email and/or DM on Instagram/Facebook. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.15. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected / is delivered.16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.17. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.18. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by Irish law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland.19. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current Irish data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.20. The winner’s name will be available 28 days after closing date by emailing the following address: info@jobalert.ie.21. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.22. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Job Alert Limited and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/legal#privacy">Privacy Policy</a> found on our website. Job Alert Ltd also reserves the right to cancel the competition if circumstances arise outside of its control.

Christmas Competition Giveaway - Three €100 One4All Vouchers

<h2>Starting January 2020 - Study for a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Accounting through a 2 year Apprenticeship and earn at least €19,000 per year.</h2>Open to school leavers, graduates, mature learners and existing employees, the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is a pathway to a fantastic career in business, accountancy and finance, where apprentices are mentored through a two-year, work-based learning programme.  Accounting Technician Apprentices work four days a week with a registered employer and study one day a week with a local college on a two-year employment contract.Apprentices college tuition is fully funded by SOLAS. Apprentices get paid minimum wage of at least €19,000 per annum by the employer. The next intake for the programme is January 2020 with applications now open for participants and employers who would like to recruit can register their interest now too. <h2>January 2020 Intake – Applications Now Open:</h2> Places are limited and it is advised to submit the online application as soon as possible to increase chances of attaining an employer offer for a place on the programme before it commences. <h2>Programme Overview:</h2>In advance of completing an application for the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme. The duration of this programme is two years from programme commencement date. You should be able to commit to completing the programme syllabus while working in full-time employment over the two years. For the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Programme an apprentice will be attending (off-the-job training) at college one day and working with an employer four days during college term time (on the job training) on a weekly basis. The (off-the-job training) day is set by the college and will be typically a Monday or Tuesday from 9:00am to 6.00pm. An employer will allocate appropriate work hours for the four days (on-the-job training) during the academic year and for the full week outside the academic term required to be completed by the apprentice for the programme and their employment contract. Additional home study in the evenings or at weekends will be needed to ensure success in the programme. Apprentices will have support from a college mentor and their workplace mentor throughout the two years. For the first year in college, the Stage 1 modules you will be studying are: Financial AccountingTaxationLaw and EthicsBusiness ManagementFor the second year in college, the Stage 2 modules you will be studying are: Advanced Financial AccountingAdvanced TaxationManagement AccountingIntegrated Accounting SystemsAssessment of progress and achievements is carried out by a combination of two strategies: Exams for each module will take place in May and August for each year.There will also be a requirement to complete two work based submissions per module.  <h2>Typical Tasks / Responsibilities:</h2> Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals working at all levels of finance. They work in every type of organisation and are widely employed throughout the public sector, industry and commerce and in private accountancy practices. The Accounting Technician supports all elements of the accounts function, including income and expenditure, balance sheet transactions, statutory returns and payroll requirements and is involved in the day-to-day practical work of accountancy and plays a key operational role in producing reliable financial information. The Accounting Technician processes all accounts payable and receivable in order to prepare, or support the preparation of, periodic accounts. They record and monitor income and expenditure including accrued and deferred income, complete regular bank reconciliations and accounts for/completes statutory returns.They produce Management Accounts and supply vital financial information to contribute to the cost-effective running of the Company through their reporting on costing and cost controls. The Accounting Technician prepares company annual budgets and monitors the progress of this throughout the year. They prepare, or assist in the preparation of, company year-end financial statements. They provide regular analysis and reports to contribute to producing accounts.Why are you selecting this programme and accounting as a career choice?It is also important to consider why you are personally interested in this programme, and what is it about accounting that appeals to you as a career choice! Successful graduates of the apprenticeship programme may then progress on to full Accountancy with Chartered Accountants Ireland or one of the other professional accountancy bodies.  <h2>What do we want from you?</h2> Motivation to learn and achieve.Dedicated class and work attendance.Proficient time management.Reliability when on the job.Professional etiquette.Ability to work as part of a team and use your own initiative. Watch Sophie’s story:When she finished her Leaving Certificate, Accounting Technician Apprentice Sophie Ellis got a job with Grant Thornton, a leading professional services company as an Accounting Technician Apprentice. Watch this video to find out why she decided to apply, how she got the job and how she’s getting on! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIAC1PwImiQ&amp;feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIAC1PwImiQ&amp;feature=youtu.be</a> <h2>Testimonials from current apprentices:</h2> Katie Haverty – National Gallery of Ireland – Dublin ‘I applied as I had a huge interest in accounting but I wanted to get the on the job training experience as well as the learning in college. It gave me an understanding of what my career is going to be like as an accountant whereas if I went and done a four year degree in a university I wouldn’t be able to gain the workplace knowledge and experience. An applicant should apply as it is a brilliant opportunity you get to work and study while being paid and you don’t have to pick up a part time job as you would need to if you studied full time. It’s great getting all your classes done in one day also as you are more focused rather than spacing the classes out over a week. While I was in university I would have only one hour classes on some days this would be a pain as you lose interest and essentially stop traveling 4 hours a day just for one class. Fitting all your classes into one day is perfect. It’s important to know when applying that this course requires your full dedication and time. It’s only 30 weeks a year so try your best to go to every class. It is also important to know that this course is very rewarding and don’t panic if you don’t get a place in a work environment straight away as I was waiting months for a place after numerous interviews and now I couldn’t be happier. When starting the programme you should expect hard work from day one but as soon as you start making friends and sharing your information it will get easier. Your friends in college will be a huge help to you and you can support and help each other. The benefits are that you get paid for a 5 day week, you get 3 weeks study leave, SOLAS fund the whole course, you get to work and study at the same time and get the weekends off. The personal benefits are that you gain knowledge of all aspects of a company from the accounts side to the business side etc. I am really enjoying the course and I can’t wait to see how I progress in the next few weeks.’ Jacqueline Lorimer – Crowleys DFK – Cork‘I have always been interested in accounts but never had the opportunity to study due to work commitments. While contemplating my future I came across Accounting Technicians Apprenticeship programme online. It was perfect for me as I was able to attend classes and work in an environment which I could put what I learnt in class into practice. I was surrounded by colleagues who could help me if I had extra questions and lead me in the right direction. It is a major benefit having the chance to put what you learnt into practice right away. An important aspect to remember is to keep up with the course work, participate in the classes, do the homework and ask as many questions as you need to in order to understand the work. It is hard work and if you put in the time and effort you will succeed. Study with the ATI apprenticeship has let me follow my passion and lead me into the career I want.’ Michelle Durney – Black Raven Credit Union – Wicklow ‘Whether you are starting out your career after secondary school or embarking on a career change the Accounting Technician’s Ireland Apprenticeship programme presents a fantastic opportunity to enter the field of accountancy and finance. As I am someone who was keen on a career change the programme has given me the opportunity to work and study at the same time. The programme itself involves consistency, hard work and dedication right from the very start. It is already starting to show the benefits as personally I have learned so much and gained valuable experience since starting the course in September 2018.’FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER PLEASE GO HERE; <a href="http://accountingtechnicianapprenticeship.ie/applicants/">http://accountingtechnicianapprenticeship.ie/applicants/</a>

Earn €19,000 & a Level 6 Advanced Cert in Accounting

A SCAFFOLDER with Down’s syndrome has been named the country’s number one apprentice.Swindon’s Todd Scanlon won a public vote for the 2019 On The Tools award after being nominated for overcoming his fear of heights, and for his boundless energy and commitment to learn new skills as part of his apprenticeship.Todd said: “It feels great to win the award.“I don’t really know why I won the award, people just voted for me to win.“At the company I mainly do a lot of fittings and carrying.“I wanted to go in to scaffolding because it’s my favourite thing to do.”More than 4,500 people voted for the 30-year-old from Rodbourne to win the honour.Coles Scaffolding company owner Martyn Coles said: “He has great determination.“He comes in every day and proves people wrong. Winning the award just shows he can do it.“Having him on the site is great, he’s a good presence, all of the customers like him and he’s very polite.“When we took him on we didn’t have any worries. I know his capability, but he is still proving to be better than whatever expectations we have. Everything you put in front of him he just does.“I’m not sure why he won the award, but I think it’s mainly because it is thought people with a disability shouldn’t be in our industry.&quot;He’s just shown that you can do it with the right guidance. He’s just a likeable guy.”Martyn, whose firm is based in Greenmeadow, is hoping Todd can be an inspiration to others.He said: “I definitely think he shows people like him can get into the business.“It’s very rewarding as a company to see someone like that progress and continue to progress and it shows other people that there is jobs out there that they can do.”Designed to recognise both individuals and leading brands, the 26 awards were judged by a panel of industry judges and an online public vote. The event was presented by stand-up comedian Justin Moorhouse, with the 450 guests at a gala dinner including builders, tradespeople and representatives of top construction brands.The ceremony was held at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham and sponsored by Jewson.CEO of On The Tools Lee Wilcox said: “Todd was nominated for all of his hard work and determination. He has chosen to be involved in a tough part of the industry and thrived, and he’s done this while living with Down’s syndrome.

Scaffolder with Down's syndrome named UK's best apprentice

<h1></h1><h2>Tech Giants have pledged over $5.5 billion to help solve the housing crisis in San Francisco? Could this work in Ireland to?</h2> Google, Facebook, Apple, Cisco &amp; Microsoft have between them pledged over $5.5 billion to solving the States’ massive housing crisis.Google and Facebook are investing $1bn in housing, Apple upped them saying it would devote $2.5bn to the issue. The move also followed a flurry of smaller donations and activity from firms such as Cisco and Microsoft, who said they would invest $500m. The money is being used to provide loans to the state to build more affordable housing, to provide funding for first time buyers and also to provide land for housing development.$1bn from Apple is set to directly finance affordable housing projects and to provide $1bn to California&#39;s first-time homebuyer’s fund. The process of finding or buying a home in California can be daunting, so housing agencies offer loan programs to help qualified first time buyers to get a mortgage. Others will also benefit from programs that provide low down payment requirements if they want to buy. Having more housing units will obviously take the pressure off the rental market, stabilizing it and who knows maybe even lowering rents.Google and Facebook also plan to invest hundreds of millions in new housing and land owned by the tech companies will be made available for housing construction with Google handing over land worth in excess of $750m.But Why?According to a recent news article, San Francisco as the centre of America&#39;s thriving tech industry has some of the highest housing costs in the US. Homeownership is in retreat and homelessness is surging, alongside newly-minted fortunes. Many believe that the tech boom created vast wealth divides and that this put added pressure on the housing situation as the industry boomed and house prices and rents doubled in the last decade. The high cost of rents are putting massive pressure on all workers in the area not only Tech employees.As people struggle to pay high mortgages and rents, other local businesses and service providers are having to raise wages so that workers can afford to live nearby. It must also put a massive pressure on key workers for example people who provide vital services such as police, healthcare and education.But the tech industry was also struggling to attract talent to the area, which is believed to be one of the reasons the tech firms have also taken an interest. Carol Galante, director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley says &quot;It&#39;s in their self-interest but it&#39;s also obviously in the community&#39;s interest too.&quot;Facebook and Google have each said their plans should produce about 20,000 new housing units, some of which will be offered at below market rates. Apple has not provided an estimate for its total commitment, but expects to build about 3,600 new affordable units on its land. Original source if you’d like to read more; https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50295130

Tech Giants pledge $5.5 billion to solve California's Housing Crisis

Pamela Woods

<h1></h1><h2>Late-night trains to operate for Christmas party season and will also help those working late!Announced; Thursday, 28th November, 2019</h2>Iarnród Éireann has confirmed details of its late-night Christmas services, which will be widely welcomed by seasonal partygoers.Commencing on Friday, December 6, the services will then run on Saturday, December 7, Friday, December 13, Saturday, December 14, Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21.Details of the late-night services are as follows:Maynooth Commuter• 00:20hrs and 01.55hrs. Dublin Pearse serving all stations to Maynooth.Kildare Phoenix Park Tunnel services• 00:50hrs and 01.50hrs from Dublin Pearse, serving Tara Street, Connolly, Drumcondra and all stations from ParkWest Cherry Orchard to Kildare.Dundalk Commuter• 00:40hrs and 01.40hrs from Dublin Pearse serving Tara Street, Connolly and all stations from Howth Junction to Dundalk.DART services• 00:30hrs and 01.30hrs from Dublin Connolly serving all stations to Greystones.• 00:30hrs and 01.30hrs from Dublin Pearse serving all stations to Howth. Fares will be charged at normal rates, meaning customers can use Leapcard and buy cash fares for the best value Christmas travel option. Weekly, monthly and annual season tickets are valid on late night services, so season ticket holders will be able to use late night services at no extra charge.Late night services will also have security personnel on board to ensure customer safety.An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to begin our late-night Christmas services on the three weekends in the run up to Christmas. The trains will once again be hugely popular with late night party-goers who can save on expensive taxi fares.”

Late Night Train Services for December

<h2>Skoda under its new &#39;Simply old, still clever&#39; age diversity initiative are hoping to encourage older people to return to the motor industry.</h2>They&#39;re looking for people who may have worked in the motor trade to return particularly for the busy January and February sales period to cope with the busiest time of the year. Hoping that older, retired people will be tempted back on a part-time or temporary basis, they feel that the company could really benefit from the wealth of customer service and sales experience that older sales people will bring to their organisation. Right now they are hiring for showrooms and forecourts across their dealer network.Speaking at the launch recently, Skoda Ireland Head of Marketing and Product, Raymond Leddy said: &quot;Many vehicle brands are over-focused on the youth market, technology and digitalisation. Very few brands are stepping into the territory of considering older employees and even fewer will publicise or endorse associations with the older generation. At Skoda, we see ourselves as paving the way for others in not just the motor industry but in Irish businesses in general to follow suit.&quot;Celebrity hotelier and TV presenter Francis Brennan has come on board with Skoda to be the face of this new campaign. He said at the launch &quot;I just turned 66 and I have no plans to retire anytime soon&quot;. &quot;Many of us are fitter and more physically active in our 50s and 60s than our parents were. Life expectancy is at record levels and we can expect a much longer period of healthy, active retirement. The more I experience, the more I know that keeping mentally active has significant benefits for health and wellbeing. Opportunities like this will bring huge benefits to both the employees and the Skoda business in general.&quot;The company is expecting that 75 per cent of its dealers will take part in the recruitment, providing flexible working arrangements designed around the correct candidates.Check out this video about their initiative; <a href="https://youtu.be/shV5oEZatn0">https://youtu.be/shV5oEZatn0</a>More information direct from Skoda here; <a href="https://www.skoda.ie/news/news-detail/skoda-brings-older-people-back-to-the-workplace-register">https://www.skoda.ie/news/news-detail/skoda-brings-older-people-back-to-the-workplace-register</a>

Skoda looking for retired sales people to return to the Motor Trade

(Pictured above at the launch of the ability to work fund are Ailbhe Keane, a board member of SIFI, Lisa Cox, a member of Blue Diamond Drama Academy, Regina Doherty, Minister for Employment Affairs &amp; Social Protection, Daniel Ryan, member of Blue Diamond Drama Academy and Tadhg Young, State Street country head. Photograph: Conor Healy/Picture It Photography)Applications Now open for the Ability to Work Fund!<h2>A new €1.5 million fund has been created by the Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) and US financial services group State Street to offer more opportunities in the workplace for people with disabilities.</h2>The partnership will see the “ability to work fund” created to provide funding over three years to organisations working to help people with a disability gain employment. The fund is also supported by the Department of Rural and Community development.SIFI and State Street intend that the fund will reach 500 educationally-disadvantaged students over its three-year lifespan and help 250 to progress to employment.Launching the fund, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, noted that many people with disabilities wish to work but are faced with barriers and challenges. This fund, she said, is an important initiative to provide the supports for those people living with disabilities.“Within the public sector we are looking to double the number of people with a disability employed by 2024 and we are looking at alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities,” Ms Doherty added.SIFI chief executive Deirdre Mortell noted that almost 10 per cent of people living in Ireland identified as living with a disability according to figures from the last census. Those people are, however, half as likely to be in employment as others or working age, she said.“It is encouraging that more and more employers are recognising the contribution people living with a disability can make to their organisation and are actively seeking to create employment for this group. Through the ability to work fund we hope to give more people with a disability the confidence to pursue employment,” Ms Mortell said.The ability to work fund is open for applications until February 2020 and successful applicants will receive cash grants as well as a place on a programme which includes training.Applications are sought from organisations that work with people who have an intellectual, physical or sensory disability from the age of 17.Source of Article; Irish Times - Peter HamiltonMore information from the Social Innovation Fund;What are the aims of the fund?The fund has two main aims:<ol><li>to empower 250 people to progress along the pathways to employment by investing in organisations that provide training, upskilling, education and other services to people with disabilities; and </li><li>to double the impact of successful applicant organisations by providing project funding and other supports such as:</li></ol><ul><li>strategic planning</li><li>communications strategy development</li><li>mentoring</li><li>leadership training</li><li>market research</li><li>financial modelling (forecasting your organisation’s financial performance) </li></ul>What does the fund offer?<ul><li>Cash grants of up to €90,000 each year for three years*</li><li>A business supports package to help not-for-profit organisations expand their business expertise and expand and deepen their impact</li><li>A place on SIFI’s Accelerator Programme, a programme which provides training from experts from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors</li><li>Project performance management, including managing its impact</li><li>Access to SIFI’s networks of charities, social enterprises, government and donors</li><li>Access to training and mentoring from State Street employees</li></ul>*Applicants can apply for any amount up to €90,000 for three years. SIFI will decide how much money to award, which may be less than the amount requested. The amount of the award will depend on how many organisations are selected, their past financial performance, and the budget they submit as part of their application. Who can apply?We are inviting applications from organisations that work with people with an intellectual, physical, mental health, learning or sensory disability who are aged 17 and older. The organisations must be engaged in creating ways to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities through education, training and skill-building.What kind of projects can apply? Projects must meet the criteria set by both SIFI and the Ability to Work Fund. These are outlined below. Please note: Projects seeking funding for capital assets (such as buildings, vans or equipment) are not eligible. Social Innovation Fund Ireland criteria<ul><li>The project must address a critical social issue </li><li>It must be innovative in an Irish context</li><li>It must be possible and desirable to replicate the project or grow its impact in Ireland (or internationally, although this is not a requirement)</li><li>The project or organisation must have a proven track record</li><li>The project must be based on the island of Ireland and make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland</li><li>The applicant must be a not-for-profit organisation such as a charity, trust, company limited by guarantee, and so on. It must not be a commercial company</li></ul>Ability to Work Fund criteria<ul><li><ul><li>The project must relate to education, training or preparation for the workforce</li><li>The project must support people with disabilities aged 17 and over to achieve better employment outcomes</li><li>The project must be able to show how it helps people in at least two of the following outcome areas:</li><li>Participants in the project must be living with a disability</li><li>The project must be able to measure the outcomes for participants</li><li>The project must consult its participants about its design, delivery and evaluation</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>Applications from projects which provide individual pathways for participants are more likely to be successful</li></ul>Which projects cannot apply?Projects that are not eligible to apply are:<ul><li>Advocacy projects</li><li>Projects seeking funding for capital items such as buildings, vans, renovations, equipment, and so on</li><li>Research projects</li><li>Projects promoting or aligned with a political party</li><li>Projects that only accept participants of a particular faith or religious denomination</li><li>Projects where the main impact is outside the Republic of Ireland</li><li>Projects led by people under 18 years of age</li><li>Projects that are an idea (only) and that have not yet started</li><li>Projects that do not benefit people with disabilities </li></ul>Which applicants are not eligible?<ul><li>Applicants under 18 years of age </li><li>Commercial companies (the fund is only open to not-for-profit organisations such as charities, trusts, schools, or companies limited by guarantee) </li><li>Staff, directors and their immediate family members of Social Innovation Fund Ireland and State Street </li></ul>How do we apply?Click here and complete the online application form, or download and complete the application form and return it to us by 5pm on 14th February 2020. If you opt to complete your application form online, you will need to upload documents such as a three-year budget for your project (in Excel), your financial statements and a link to a 2-3 minute video about your project. What happens next?A team of experts will review the applications. Projects which are shortlisted will be invited to an interview to give more information about their project. Project leaders will be invited to interviews, which will take place the week starting 23 March 2020. The judges may do further checks or site visits. The awardees will be notified in June 2020. The Awards Ceremony and announcement will take place in July 2020.What happens if our project is successful?We will invite your project leader to take part in an Accelerator Programme which runs from July 2020 to June 2023. This programme will include:<ul><li>mentoring</li><li>planning for growth</li><li>measuring the impact of the project</li><li>communications training</li><li>access to Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s expertise and networks</li></ul>We will expect your project leader to devote at least two days a month to the programme.Frequently asked questionsHow do I upload a video link to my application?Click here to watch our short guide to uploading video.What should we include in the video?Look at this sample video for ideas. The video should be 2-3 minutes and should tell us who you are, why you are applying for the grant, the problem you are trying to solve and how your solution is innovative.Can you explain what you mean by outputs (model, impact, testing etcetera)?Click here to see our handy one-page glossary of terms, and click here to see examples of how those terms can be applied.What can we spend the grant on?You may only spend the grant on the project which won the award. The specific use of the grant will be agreed between you and Social Innovation Fund Ireland. Please note: you cannot use the grant to pay off debts or buy land, buildings or equipment (capital expenses).Who will decide who wins the awards?The final decision will be made by the Board of Social Innovation Fund Ireland.What is the selection process?<ul><li>Stage 1: Open call for applications (11 November 2019 to 14 February 2020)</li><li>Stage 2: Selection process (February to March 2020)</li><li>Stage 3: Interviews (week starting 23 March 2020)</li><li>Stage 4: Final checks on short-listed applicants (April to May 2020)</li><li>Stage 5: Final decision by Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s Board (June 2020)</li></ul>How can we find out where we are in the selection process?We will inform applicants by telephone or email.Interviews and feedback<ul><li>If you are invited to the next round of the application process, you will be asked to attend an interview which must be attended by a project representative (ideally the project leader). </li><li>If selected for interview, we will share the information you have provided with the judges. </li><li>The SIFI Board of Directors will choose the winning applications and decide the awards based on the recommendations from the panel of judges. The Directors’ decision will be final. </li><li>The SIFI Fund Manager may offer general verbal feedback to unsuccessful applicants who have reached the interview stage.</li></ul>Publicity<ul><li>The awardees must take part in publicity about the grant. SIFI reserves the right to publish the names of organisations that are successful in their applications.</li></ul>Terms and conditions of the Ability to Work FundBy applying for the Ability to Work Fund, you agree with the following: <ul><li>You are 18 years of age or older.</li><li>You have given full and truthful information, both verbal and written, at all stages of the application and selection process. </li><li>You are eligible to apply. This means that your organisation meets the criteria for the Social Innovation Fund Ireland and the Ability to Work Fund, as described earlier.</li><li>You have the right to apply. This means that you hold the necessary rights to carry out the project.</li><li>By sending in your application, you accept these terms and conditions and our Privacy Statement. If you do not comply with these terms and conditions, you may be disqualified and may have to return any award granted. </li><li>SIFI will hold the personal details which you submitted with your application form. We will only share this information with the third parties administering the application and selection process, unless we agree otherwise with you. Please see our Privacy Statement for full details.</li><li>If you decline an award or if the award is taken back because you did not comply with the terms and conditions, the Directors may select an alternative awardee.</li><li>SIFI reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, to change the terms and conditions without notice, or to cancel the application process at any stage.</li></ul><a href="http://www.socialinnovation.ie/ability-to-work-fund/">CLICK HERE FOR TO GO TO THEIR WEBSITE</a>

€1.5m fund to offer more work opportunities for people with disabilities

Our MissionOur mission is to fill vacancies with quality candidates as quickly and affordably for companies of all shapes and sizes. We also want to guarantee that anyone who wants a job, gets one!We are particularly passionate about helping disadvantaged jobseekers. We try our best to get the word out on any news or information that we feel can help someone in need. From apprenticeships and traineeships to interview preparation and CV writing; we want to equip jobseekers with the information that can aid them in their job search.Unlike other job boards, we don’t wait for jobseekers to come to us, we go to them. We use the power of social media to get directly in front of potential job seekers. With a community with over 300,000 social media followers, we can reach a massive audience. Our content takes on a life of its own as it gets liked, shared and commented on around the country.If you would like to advertise on JobAlert.ie click <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/employers">HERE </a>or contact us on 01 8495003If you are a jobseeker follow our Facebook pages or visit <a href="www.jobalert.ie">www.jobalert.ie</a>

What a great year at JobAlert.ie

<h2>Are you an EU🇪🇺 citizen born between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2001? Would you like to spend the summer☀️ travelling through Europe by train🚆 for free? Apply now to participate!</h2> Get ready to explore Europe! What is DiscoverEU?DiscoverEU is an initiative of the European Union that gives you the opportunity to discover Europe through learning experiences. Travelling predominantly by rail (there are exceptions to allow those living on islands or in remote areas), you will discover Europe’s stunning landscapes and its variety of cities and towns. Young people can apply during the two application rounds which take place each year. Successful applicants are awarded with a travel pass.As an 18-year-old citizen of the European Union, DiscoverEU offers you the opportunity to participate in a travel experience that will enable you to take advantage of the freedom of movement throughout the European Union, explore the diversity of Europe while travelling, learn about European cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Furthermore, DiscoverEU enables you, as a young person, to develop life skills of value to your future, such as independence, confidence, and openness to other cultures.    Almost 50 000 young people have been awarded a travel pass since the first application round in June 2018. Another round is taking place now and will run until Thursday 28 November 2019 at 12:00 (CET). To be eligible, you need to:<ul><li>Have been born between 1 January 2001 (included) and 31 December 2001 (included);</li><li>Have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the award decision;</li><li>Complete the correct ID or passport number on the online application form.</li></ul>Then you will need to participate in a quiz (unless you apply as a group member).If you are selected, you can travel for a period of minimum 1 day and up to 30 days between 1 April 2020 and 31 October 2020. Note that if you have a disability or a health problem that makes your trip challenging, you will receive assistance and support to help you take part in DiscoverEU. Can I travel with my friends?Yes you can! It really is up to you. You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above. They will use your application code to submit their own application. You can also organise meet-ups and combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU travellers! The DiscoverEU Facebook Group is a good platform to do this. Join the Group now to chat with other participants.   ‘There is a whole world out there. Pack your backpack, your best friend and go.’ Share experiencesAs a DiscoverEU Ambassador, you will be invited you to share your travel experiences through social media tools - Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter - using #DiscoverEU. You may decide to give a presentation at your school or local community. Moreover, you could participate in the #DiscoverEU photo/video #Competition and win great prizes. I want to know more – here’s some information from the factsheet;“Turning 18 marks a major step to adulthood. We want to support Europe’s young people in taking this step by giving them the opportunity to discover our continent’s incredible cultural heritage, get to know and learn from other people – and come to recognise that there is more that unites us than divides us.” Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth &amp; Sport  WHAT IS DiscoverEU? DiscoverEU is an EU initiative giving 18-year-old young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to travel around Europe, learn from other cultures, build new friendships with fellow Europeans, and explore their European identity. Organised for the first time in 2018, young people embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm. Nearly 275,000 young people applied for the almost 50,000 travel passes available over three application rounds in 2018-2019. The allocation of the travel passes was based on the share of Member States’ population compared to the overall population of the EU. All country quotas were used. 49,551 participants have already participated in previous rounds – they represent;70% in school or leaving school 22% in higher education 2% in vocational training 2% on a gap year 1% employed 1% volunteering 2% other Here are some of their stories from past participants;”Most definitely I liked trains and the long-distance journeys, I fell in love with railways and I think that this is the best mean of transport. I enjoyed the opportunity to travel in Europe and I liked visiting places that I did not have the chance to visit before. I also liked my full independence and self-reliance. I liked getting to know other people with whom I’m still in contact today. I was surprised that I fell so much in love in this kind of travel, like visiting several places in 2 weeks or more. I learned how to travel on my own without the help of my parents. For me the best city has definitely been Amsterdam, I liked the atmosphere and the city itself.” Aleksandra B. (Poland): travelled to Germany, Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands “The word I would use to describe my journey is “Union”. The thing that really surprised me was the ease with which I and the other DiscoverEU participants became friends, we shared experiences and emotions, without knowing each other at all. The union between the different cultures of this trip has left me speechless, I really never thought of finding such great people who offered me a smile every day. Without any doubt I learned to trust others and I shared everything that I could while travelling.” Marta P. (Italy): travelled to Hungary, Czechia, Germany and The Netherlands “From the start, I was eager to participate in the DiscoverEU initiative, and I was extremely happy to be among the selected ones. The European Commission showed an open attitude and was determined to find solutions for my situation. The experience has been very enriching for me and also for society. On the one hand, society was surprised to see me, a boy with great disability helped by a team of assistants to enjoy life abroad. On the other hand, my severe limitations created very positive feelings of empathy and help among people, and ultimately integration.” Javier G. (Spain): travelled to The Netherlands Europe is at your feet. Take the first step - what are you waiting for? CLICK <a href="https://europa.eu/youth/discovereu_en?fbclid=IwAR0f-6yWntJGyrkBt1ubic4nxEOqGSV4NSZrpVrVEaX78NtRndCyP8aj_ZI">HERE</a>

 Get ready to explore Europe by Train for Free!

Do you have your Junior Cert?Here&#39;s a great opportunity to achieve an Aircraft Spray-Painting - City and Guilds Diploma: NVQ Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering while learning on the job at Dublin Airport. Once the course is successfully completed, participants will be offered full time employment! This programme is running in partnership with IAC, Dublin Airport; encompassing on-the-job training. Learners will gain the skills, knowledge and competencies required to work effectively as Aircraft Surface Finisher. The programme is City and Guilds certified. GV and medical form part of the recruitment process.Start Date - 18/11/2019End Date - 15/05/2020Duration - 26 WeeksENTRY REQUIREMENTS<ul><li>Education: Learners should ideally have Junior Certificate (or equivalent) english, maths and science.</li><li> Aptitude: The selection process on behalf of employers may include initial assessment where applicants will be asked if they have any qualifications or experience that can be accredited against the requirements of the award. They may also be required to take tests in basic numeracy and literacy, communications skills and spatial awareness. There may also be an interview to ensure applicants have selected the right occupational sector and are motivated to become an learner on the course, as undertaking this course is a major commitment for both the individual and the employer.</li><li>Previous Experience: Previous work experience is desirable but not essential.</li></ul>Receive the following City &amp; Guilds Awards:Complying with Statutory Regs. &amp; Org. Safety Reqs. (1789-001)Using &amp; Interpreting Engineering Data &amp; Documents (1789-002)Working Efficiently &amp; Effectively in Engineering (1789-403)Reinstating Work Area on Completion of Activities (1789-404)Applying Aircraft Paint Finishes by Hand (1789-489)Applying Aircraft Paint Finishes by Spray Guns (1789-490)Applying Transfers, Decals &amp; Livery to Aircraft (1789-491)Stripping &amp; Removing Aircraft Finishes (1789-492)Applying Finishes to Aircraft Composite Mouldings (1789-493)This course is very popular, so if you&#39;re interested, apply today! For more information and to apply call 018167400 or click <a href="https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder?sfcw-courseId=274409">here</a> to apply online.

Aircraft Spray-Painting - City & Guilds Diploma, Training at Dublin Airport

Peter McVerry Trust and DCU recently conducted a research study of 51 young homeless men’s experiences of the education system in an effort to understand and improve young people’s educational experiences and reduce the risks of homelessness in the future.Following the study they have produced a fantastic report called Educational Gaps and Future Solutions, which sets out seven key recommendations.Key findings included:- A significant deterioration in the interviewees’ experiences of education following their transition from primary to secondary school.- Rates of suspension and expulsion from school significantly higher than the national average, with 55% of participants having experienced reduced access to education via suspension, rolling suspension or expulsion.- 68% indicated that they had experienced ‘traumatic childhood events’.- 79% of participants interested in further education or training.Sarah Murphy, lead author and Research Associate with the Educational Disadvantage Centre, DCU Institute of Education, said: “This report reveals a range of preventable system failures in the Irish education system that are still ongoing today. These failures increase the risk of exclusion from the system and participation in society with knock-on impacts that heighten the risks of homelessness.The seven key recommendations of this report are as follows;To provide a distinct funding strand for adequate emotional counselling and/or therapeutic supports in and around schools to support children and young people experiencing trauma and adverse childhood experiences to support the mental health needs of these vulnerable students.To provide additional Multidisciplinary Team Supports in and around schools to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion.To provide and lead a strategic commitment to enhanced focus on conflict resolution skills for secondary teaching in Initial Teacher Education and continuing professional development to upskill schools in responding to children’s social, emotional and behavioural needs.To establish a distinct funding strand to develop Community Lifelong Learning Centres, integrated with Multidisciplinary Teams as onestop-shops for meeting diverse holistic educational needs, including for young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness.To establish an Interdepartmental National Expert Advisory Group to develop a National Strategic Action Plan for meeting the holistic educational needs of children and young people in care.To explore ways of providing accommodation for young men which address the heterogeneity of this
group and is conducive to studying and maintaining employment, as well as the provision of education and training opportunities where appropriate.To increase focus on Social, Personal, Health Education (SPHE), in particular social and emotional development education, meaningful drug education and life skills.To explore ways of providing accommodation for young men which address the heterogeneity of this
group and is conducive to studying and maintaining employment, as well as the provision of education and training opportunities where appropriate.<h2>More about the Peter McVerry Trust</h2>Apart from running many homeless services the Peter McVerry has a number of training initiatives for young people, In 2019 Peter McVerry Trust took on the operations of the Carline Learning Centre in Clondalkin, West Dublin. This centre works with around 30 young people each academic year to support them to obtain their Junior Certificate. The vast majority of these young people have been excluded from mainstream school systems. In Moyross, Limerick, Peter McVerry Trust funds the Moyross Youth Academy to offer carpentry courses for long term unemployed young people from the area. The funding is provided for a woodwork tutor and Peter McVerry Trust buys the furniture made by the young people for use across their social housing units.The Peter McVerry Trust works with and provides funding to the Belvedere Youth Club in Dublin 1.
The funding is focused on the provision of an IT education project for young people who access the youth club’s services and who come from the immediate environs of Dublin’s north inner city. As part of their work to support young people in the education system, Peter McVerry Trust is currently funding trauma counselling sessions for students at two schools in Dublin. This counselling was developed as a homelessness prevention measure as these schools had seen high number of past pupils access their homeless services.In conjunction with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), the Trust also provides an online learning platform which offers a flexible, accessible and cost-effective means of learning and accreditation at QQI Levels 2 &amp; 3. This platform is called writeon.ie.
Peter McVerry Trust currently offers NALA’s online education platform across their Supported Temporary Accommodation Services, Family Hubs and Housing with Support Services, throughout the four Dublin Local Authority areas, Louth, Limerick and Kildare. Through their ongoing engagement with schools in Dublin we are funding a breakfast club at a DEIS school in Dublin. This ensures that children attending that school start the day with a nutritious and proper breakfast. The Peter McVerry Trust is currently bringing forward a number of employment activation programmes for people in homeless and housing services. These programmes are located in Dublin, Kildare and Limerick. The programmes will aid people’s ability to secure and retain employment in areas such as construction, hospitality and tourism, IT and retail. Read more about Peter McVerry Trust and the full report <a href="https://pmvtrust.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Final-DCU_Summary_Report_online.pdf">HERE</a>

Educational Gaps and the risk of Longterm Unemployment and Homelessness

<h2></h2><h2>On-going Female Driver Recruitment Open Days</h2>Want a go at driving a bus? Well give it a spin at one of our Female Driver Recruitment Open Days! Below dates for the upcoming open days:<ul><li>Saturday 9 November</li><li>Saturday 23 November</li></ul>DUBLIN Bus has set out plans to double the number of women bus drivers as part of a huge recruitment campaign.Women make up only four per cent of drivers at the company in what is often seen as a male-dominated industry and they hope the open days will help to increase the number of women applying for driving roles.What to expect on the day On the day you will meet some of our current female drivers and inspectors who will share with you their experiences of working with Dublin Bus. You will get the opportunity to drive a bus with one of our professional driving instructors. We will give you a tour of our Central Control centre, and we will take you through the recruitment process for bus drivers, and the various benefits of working for Dublin Bus.How do I apply to attend an open day? To attend an open day all you need to do is email opendays@dublinbus.ie to register your interest. You will then receive an automatic email response which is confirmation we have received your details. We will email you with a time slot and directions to the location. You must hold a valid category B (car) licence for a minimum of two years to attend an open day.Benefits Salaries begin at €632.05 per week (4-day week inclusive of shift and Sunday premium), increasing to €859.62 (5-day week inclusive of shift and Sunday premium). These roles operate scheduled services covering late shifts on a 4-day week from Thursday to Monday with the opportunity to progress to a 5-day week with rotating shifts. Initial training and mentoring is provided as well as on-going training and development (including periodic CPC).On appointment (following a probationary period of 12 months) we will offer you a wide range of benefits including either a company pension scheme or a PRSA pension scheme, a subsidised medical scheme, free bus travel and concessionary rail travel.In a recent news article Vivienne Kavanagh, Dublin Bus employee development and equality executive, said that plans are under way to increase that number by 100% over the next two years.She said she wants to challenge some of the perceptions of bus drivers and is hoping that at the open days women will be encouraged to apply.She said &quot;Public transport world-wide is male dominated and I think because we don&#39;t see many women driving buses it can put them off, and there are perceptions that it&#39;s physically difficult to drive a bus, but it&#39;s not.&quot;Some people might think it&#39;s unsafe but there are CCTV cameras on the buses.&quot;Drivers have a screen in the cab and there&#39;s a radio system to contact inspectors.&quot;I want to encourage women come along and see what it&#39;s like and try driving the bus themselves.&quot;We are very much focused on being representative of our customers and communities we serve.&quot;There are lots of business benefits of having more women employed in the company.&quot;<h2>Salary</h2>Bus driver salaries begin at 632 euro per week increasing to 859 euro per week.In 2016, Dublin Bus saw its first all-female class of graduating bus drivers.Irish motor racing legend Rosemary Smith (pictured above) helped launch the recruitment drive in Dublin&#39;s Phoenix Park.She encouraged women to attend the open days.She added: &quot;If you think you would have the capabilities, come and have a go at it.&quot;There are a lot of women who would be afraid to put themselves forward, but I grow up in the era where many women were considered not good enough, or not &#39;drivers&#39; as such.&quot;But male-dominated industries are falling by the wayside. Women can do anything they like, the glass ceiling in all sorts of ways has been broken.&quot;After 20 years behind the wheel, bus driver Tina Ahern said the most difficult part is the early morning starts.She said: &quot;There&#39;s only a very small amount of women drivers and we want them to realise it&#39;s not that difficult to do.&quot;You get behind the steering wheel and it&#39;s very easy.&quot;There&#39;s a perception that it&#39;s hard, but it&#39;s definitely not a hard job to do.&quot;The most difficult is getting up early in the morning but the passengers are lovely, the people I work with are lovely.&quot;It&#39;s male dominated yes but they are all lovely.&quot;You have a screen so you keep it up you are in any danger but in my 20 years I haven&#39;t come across anything.&quot;Passengers can sometimes be grumpy in the morning but you are the first person they see, we don&#39;t take offence to it or anything personally.&quot;Suzanne Armstrong has been working for Dublin Bus for three years.She said: &quot;I went to an open day and got a tour and spoke to other women drivers and then got to drive the bus.&quot;I would encourage women to give it a go, turn up and see what it&#39;s like.&quot;I love being a bus driver.&quot;The most difficult part is finding my way around the city, but it&#39;s OK as I always have someone to guide me.Read more and apply here; <a href="http://www.dublinbus.ie/Human-Resources/Female-Driver-Recruitment-Open-Days/">HERE</a>

Dublin Bus holding more open days for women drivers

<h2>Check out this amazing company that supports people with criminal records to gain sustainable employment, preventing them from re-offending</h2>VGC Group, a leading Irish firm founded by Cavan man Sean Fitzpatrick, who provides people and delivers projects for major infrastructure contractors across Britain is behind a programme that helps people with criminal records to find jobs.&lt;ad&gt;In their offenders programme ‘go beyond the gates’ they provide mentoring, mock interviews, careers guidance and employability workshops as well as liaising with clients to identify appropriate roles for offenders as they approach their release date from prison. Since it started last year 17 ex-offenders have been placed into jobs on sites across Britain.One such person is “Peter” (not his real name) who is now working for VGC at a rail depot. As Peter prepared to leave prison he participated in the programme. When he was then released on a temporary licence he was eligible to find local work. Peter had been in detention centres and prisons since he was 14 years of age, as a result he had no previous work experience. Without support or work he faced a life on the street on his final release.VGC agreed to sponsor Peter so that he could get a special card to work in construction and initially he worked as an assistant cleaner. Soon he gained his personal track safety qualification and he is now also undertaking groundwork labouring. Reports back show that Peter has proved to be a very hard worker. He struggled initially with group dynamics and needed some extra support which the programme was able to provide him with, he has now managed to settle in really well.Even though Peter is now working full time, he is still on day release from prison, so he’s saving money to help secure accommodation after his release and is starting to rebuild lost relationships with his family. Peter says: “I’m really grateful to have been given this chance to get my life back on track.”VGC have also linked up with charities and social enterprise partners - including Shaw Trust, Bounce Back, Key4Life, Mind the Gap and A Fairer Chance - to understand the issues facing deprived communities.The company are also one of many companies in the UK who have joined the ‘Ban the Box Campaign’ that asks employers to remove the tick box from job application forms asking about unspent criminal convictions. The companies publicly commit to considering applicants&#39; skills, experience and ability before asking about criminal convictions. Research has shown that finding work for ex-offenders near to release helps break the cycle of unemployment, homelessness and re-offending.Of course there will be some work situations where criminal record clearance is required but many roles can offer work to people who cannot pass these screening processes.What’s your thoughts?

'Go beyond the gates' ex-offender programme

Director & Ideation Manager

Pamela Doyle

Travel company, Unforgettable Greece, are looking for a lucky participant and a friend to embark on a 9-day all-expenses-paid tour of Greece next summer in exchange for snapping up some amazing action shots for their instagram account. On top of the free holiday, the selected candidate will also receive £500 (approx €580) for their time and a free Samsung S10 for capturing the Insta-worthy photos.What You Will GetThe lucky applicant will enjoy an all-expenses paid 9-day luxury tour of Greece, including:<ul><li>9-day tour of Greece for 2 people travelling through Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete</li><li>Luxury accommodation throughout</li><li>Private transfers throughout</li><li>Private guided tour of Acropolis</li><li>Jeep island tour of Mykonos’ best beaches</li><li>Sunset sailing in Santorini</li><li>Private home-hosted cooking class in Crete</li><li>A Samsung S10 to capture photographs</li><li>£500 payment (approx €580)</li></ul>What they are Looking For&quot;We want someone with a passion for travel and photography to join us. If you can reel off the best travel hashtags, are always looking for opportunities to capture a scenic shot, and know how to make people double-tap on your Insta shots we want to hear from you.This incredible opportunity is also a chance to experience our unique and authentic luxury Greece travel offering and we are looking for someone with a sense of adventure who isn’t afraid to try new things and throw themselves into a new environment. Read on to find out how to enter.&quot;How to Apply&quot;If you think you’ve got what it takes to be our Island-Hopping Instagrammer you can apply on Instagram, Simply follow the steps below:<ul><li>Upload your best travel photo taken by you</li><li>Tag us @unforgettablegreece</li><li>Use the hashtag #UnforgettableInstagrammer in your caption</li><li>Make sure your post is set to public so we can see it&quot;</li></ul>Unforgettable Greece judges will select a winning photo after the closing date on Friday 15th November.Competition is open to residents over 18 years of age from all countries. Full terms and conditions can be found <a href="https://unforgettablegreece.com/island-hopping-instagrammer/terms-conditions">here</a>.Source: <a href="https://unforgettablegreece.com/island-hopping-instagrammer">unforgettablegreece.com</a>

Travel company looking for an Instagrammer to go Greek island-hopping

Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country are running one-day customs training workshops called Prepare Your Business for Customs. They are free, short and informative, and designed for any business, in any sector.At the clock ticks - the UK could leave the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market on October 31st so you need to be ready.&lt;ad&gt;The workshops will provide you with the information you need to manage the potential impact of Brexit. They will help to advise you on;<ul><li>What administration processes will be involved in UK importing and exporting?</li><li>What customs checks are likely at borders?</li><li>How can I assess the impact of tariffs on my business?</li><li>Will I be able to make customs declarations electronically?</li><li>What is an ERI number and where do I get one?</li><li>How do I become an Authorised Economic Operator?</li></ul>&lt;ad&gt;The Prepare Your Business for Customs workshop is just one of a range of Brexit supports provided by your Local Enterprise Office. Very many businesses have already participated in the training. If you haven’t, now is the time to do so.“All businesses should be looking at the potential impact of Brexit on their business, whether they trade with the UK or not; if Brexit causes a sudden economic shock to the country, that is something you need to plan and prepare for too,” says Oisin Geoghegan, chair of the Local Enterprise Office Network.&lt;ad&gt;Get Brexit Ready is an On Line Customs Insights Course that they are also providing;<h4>Overview</h4>The online Customs Insights course helps businesses understand the key customs concepts, documentation and processes required to succeed in a post Brexit world.<h4>Who is it for?</h4>It is designed for Irish businesses dealing with customs for the first time.&lt;ad&gt;<h4>What will I learn?</h4>The course will give learners a firm understanding of customs, the implications for their business and the options from Revenue that are available to make the customs process more efficient.<h4>What will I achieve from doing the online course?</h4>The course includes a dedicated section illustrating the key actions companies can take to prepare for customs after Brexit and includes a summary of the resources available to support you.What will be covered?<ul><li>Introduction to Customs</li><li>Importing and Exporting</li><li>Making Customs Easier</li><li>Comprehensive Guarantee</li><li>Deferred Payment Account</li><li>AEO</li><li>Transit</li><li>Get Brexit Ready – What Next?</li></ul>You can access this course <a href="https://www.prepareforbrexit.com/customs-insights-course/">HERE</a>For other Brexit supports click <a href="https://www.localenterprise.ie/Documents-and-Publications/Brexit-Preparedness-Checklist/">HERE</a>

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