Tánaiste announces extension of Work Placement Programme to schools

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan has today announced the rollout of the FÁS Work Placement Programme to schools.

The programme will allow schools to apply to take on one or more people for a work experience placement for 25-40 hours a week.

The placement period is for a minimum of two months and a maximum of nine months.

Announcing the details Ms Coughlan said “this is a major extension of the initiative to help and support the unemployed”.

“It will assist people who are unemployed to keep their skills current and gain valuable work experience to assist them in finding employment.”

Schools may use the Work Placement Programme to engage teachers as well as non-teaching graduates and non-graduates.

It is a condition of the programme that any placements must not displace an existing member of staff or be used to fill a vacant post.

“By being innovative, there is a real opportunity for schools to benefit from people with a diverse range of skills and for people who are out of work to retain their skill levels and broaden their experience”, said the Tánaiste.

The Work Placement Programme has already been launched in the Civil Service, State agencies and other public service bodies and there is a Government commitment in the Croke Park agreement to support it.

Schools interested in becoming work placement providers can seek further information and application forms by logging on to the Department of Education and Skills website

(www.education.ie) and applications to participate in the programme should be made to FÁS.