Work Placement Publication reveals how Ireland’s Top Companies are impacting on unemployment

BITCI News - Sep 11, 2014

Business in the Community Ireland publishes ‘Back to Work – Business Supporting Work Placements’ documenting the experience of providing work placements for people facing labour market disadvantage by 11 top companies.

  • First publication to share  experiences and document practical advice on providing work placements for people facing labour market disadvantage.
  • Companies featured in the publication include: Accenture, Baxter Storey, Compass Group, Diageo Ireland, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Janssen, Marks & Spencer Ireland, Mercury Engineering, Shell E&P Ireland, Sodexo and Tesco Ireland.
  • The work place publication includes 11 insightful and inspiring case studies on how top Irish companies are impacting on unemployment by engaging in employment programmes.
  • The publication further includes a call to action for Irish businesses to provide at least one opportunity for Job Shadow Day and one work placement in 2015.

Business in the Community Ireland, Ireland’s only network for responsible business, has released a work place publication that documents Irish companies response to employment of people facing labour market disadvantage. It is the first publication to document, through 11 insightful and inspiring case studies; how Ireland’s top companies are impacting on unemployment by engaging in employment programmes. The publication, entitled  ‘Back to Work – Business Supporting Work Placements,’ was supported by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and carried out in conjunction with some of Ireland’s biggest corporations including: Accenture, Baxter Storey, Compass Group, Diageo Ireland,  Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Janssen, Marks & Spencer Ireland, Mercury Engineering, Shell E&P Ireland, Sodexo, Tesco Ireland.

backtoworkcoverThe publication highlights how through employment programmes, socially responsible companies can take a lead in addressing key societal issues that affect employment entry such as homelessness, mental health and disability.

Commenting on the publication, Tina Roche, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland said:

“Businesses are uniquely placed to support people to acquire the skills they need to gain experience and to find work. There is huge need within our communities for this type of support. Employment is the key to addressing social disadvantages – it brings financial independence, increases confidence and self-esteem, develops skills, builds social networks and can provide a route to independent living.  Our call to action is to ask businesses to host 1 work placement and 1 job shadow opportunity in 2015.”

One case study in the publication is The Tesco-Positive2Work programme which was developed through collaborating between Tesco Ireland, the Department of Social Protection, Skillnets and Education and Training Boards. The six week programme aimed at young people offers four FETAC Level 4 Modules in either Retail Skills or Distribution and Warehousing Skills. Naomi who comes from a very disadvantaged area in inner city Dublin applied for and successfully completed the programme, securing a position in one of Tesco’s city centre stores.

Another case study featured is the partnership between Shell E&P Ireland and the Irish Association for Supported Employment (IASE) who provides a range of services to supported employment organisations, specifically for people with disabilities, Michael Crothers, Managing Director, Shell E&P Ireland stated:

“The benefits of our partnership with IASE are clear; our funding support aligns with our vision of being a good neighbour in the local area, and our direct participation in the initiative has educated and inspired our staff to look at new ways of encouraging a more inclusive workplace. It has been a truly positive experience for Shell and we would encourage all employers to participate both in the actual Job Shadow Day, as it is a journey of self- awareness for companies, and to look at providing work placement opportunities, whilst challenging employers’ paradigms.”

Please click here to download a copy of the publication.

Business in the Community Ireland is the country’s only network for responsible business. We help companies measure, manage and report on their corporate responsibility. BITC’s Employment Programme has over 12 years’ experience of helping companies run employment programmes. Our mission is to harness the power of Irish business to maximise its positive impact on all its stakeholders and society. We believe that Irish companies can make a strong contribution to people who are disadvantaged from the labour market by providing them with valuable work experience.