Ready for Work

Ready for Work (RFW) is a unique initiative that provides work experience and guidance to people who are looking to move on from homelessness into employment or training. Through Ready for Work, businesses in Ireland are able to make a direct impact on the lives of homeless people by providing a realistic experience of the world of work as part of a structured and supportive programme.

Registration for the next programme is starting 5th December 2011

Next programme runs 16th January - 17th February 2012

Background:

RFW recognises that employment is key to addressing disadvantage - it brings financial independence, increases confidence and self esteem, develops skills, builds social networks and can provide a route to independent living. However, many of the estimated 5,000 people who experience homelessness each year in Ireland encounter overwhelming barriers and prejudice in their search for employment, which greatly decreases their motivation and self-esteem. The Ready for Work campaign, launched first in the UK in 1998, then in Ireland in 2002, aims to enable people to break out of the ‘cycle of homelessness' and move towards independence. Since 2002, over300 homeless people in Dublin have engaged with RFW, and 57 businesses have provided work placements or other forms of support. We work continuously with over 50 homeless services to find our candidates - those who are ready and motivated to get back into work or training. The programme is currently funded by FÁS and Marks & Spencer. Ready for Work offers a real chance for change for hundreds of people affected by homelessness in Dublin. Around 65 percent of those who complete RFW placements go on to start jobs.

Click here for our quarterly evaluation report (February 2011), which includes feedback from clients and companies about the work placements, client stories and more information. 

Click here for Ready for Work Review 2007

Click here for Ready for Work Review 2002 - 06

We run four programmes per year. Here is what's involved:

Referral: If you are in contact with people affected by homelessness and who are interested in returning to work, you can refer them by talking to the Coordinator and sending in completed application and risk assessment forms:

 Click here for RFW Application Form

Click here for Risk Assessment Form

Registration:   Applicants attend an informal interview to assess whether they meet our criteria ie.  are motivated and ready for a return to work. It is a chance for clients to find out if RFW is suited to them too. We match selected candidates to a suitable work experience placement and organise an introductory meeting with the company. Those who aren't selected are referred to appropriate alternative services.

2 Days Training: Our pre-employment training module has been created specifically for marginalised groups and focuses on communication, building confidence, managing change plus CV preparation and mock interviews.

3-4 Weeks Work Experience: Candidates' skills and interests are matched as far as possible to work placements being offered by participating businesses. Placements are:

• Supported - someone in the business acts as a ‘buddy' to the candidate for the 3/4 weeks to help them to ‘fit in' and do the job, and the RFW team are on call to deal with any issues that may arise

• Part Time - part time hours are arranged to allow for child care and other appointments and to encourage candidates to build a routine gradually

• Monday - Friday - placements don't include weekends. During week days the RFW team are available to support candidates and businesses

• Unwaged - so that there is no interruption to social welfare payments for candidates while on placement. Businesses cover the costs of travel and uniform if required

RFW placements have been in the following areas: retail (operations and sales), office/reception, Human Resources, stock room, warehouse, maintenance, gardening/ landscaping, , kitchen/counter assistance, cleaning, stable hand, childcare and care for the elderly. Current placement companies include: Marks & Spencer, Tesco, KPMG, Brown Thomas, Momentum Support, Unicare, Parkwest Business Park, Peninsula and Carillion.

Action Morning: Straight after the placement, candidates come back together with the trainers, agree an action plan to go forward and receive certificates and a reference.

Follow up Support of a Training & Employment Officer: After the work placement a Training and Employment Officer meets with candidates regularly, providing guidance, motivation and practical support during the job search and onwards into employment or training. The sessions include psychometric assessments, CV and interview preparation, online job applications, and Garda Vetting applications.   

More Information:

Employers: if you would like to discuss our employment programmes please contact Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager at 01 874 7232 or mhorgan@bitc.ie

Candidates/Homeless Service Providers: click here for a factsheet about Ready for Work. If you want to apply or learn more please contact Anna Greenhalgh, Ready for Work Coordinator at 01 8723814/ Mob: 086 0412972 or agreenhalgh@bitc.ie