Job scheme helps 605 people back to work

Maintaining good relations with employers has been described as the key to the success of a jobs programme in Kerry.

A total of 605 people got back into the workforce in south Kerry in 2011, through the South Kerry Local Employment Service — 542 were placed in jobs, while 63 became self-employed.

A further 612, in the same area, progressed to training or education.

Some returned to both second and third-level education, with others availed of training in areas that have been identified as offering them the skills to potentially return to the jobs market.

Under the programme, administered by South Kerry Development Partnership, just over 1,600 new clients were referred or directed to the service in 2011 — comparable with figures for 2010.

The programme’s manager Bridie Buckley said the service was showing that, with the proper assistance, people could find work even in difficult times.

“Enabling people to get back into education and training gives them the opportunity to gain the skills that are attractive to employers and greatly increases their chance of getting back into employment,” she added.