JobBridge 2.0 on the way – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

JobBridge 2.0 on the way




internships

Two new schemes designed to reduce unemployment have been launched by the Department of Social Protection.

Both schemes are specifically aimed at the 18-25 age group.

One of the schemes, deemed ‘First Steps’, will offersix or nine months work placements to unemployed people in that age group. According to the scheme, four out of five days per week will be spent on placement, while the final day is expected to be spent sesrching for a job.

The standard Jobbridge internship fee of €50 applies to First Steps. The scheme will begin in April, and it intends to provide some 2,000 internships in the current year.

The second scheme, JobsPlus Youth, is a kind of update to Jobsplus, a scheme which offers a discount to the employer’s wage bill if they hire directly from the live register. 1,500 additional jobs are expected to be created via this scheme this year.

Internship schemes have so far proven controversial, with as many supporters as detractors. Some deem these schemes ‘exploitative’, while other believe they are an useful way for unemployed people to find their feet again and return to employment.

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