My marketing degree has been devalued by yellow-pack scheme

As a recent graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and one who has a degree in marketing, I have commenced seeking employment within the marketing industry.

In daily monitoring of the jobs market, I have discovered that the marketing function of a business has been relegated to obtaining employees under the JobBridge scheme.

This allows employers to take on a worker for six or nine months, while the worker is paid an intern allowance of €52.50 in addition to their jobseeker’s allowance.

The employer is obtaining a staff member at zero cost.

The vital work of marketing a business is being left to a scheme worker, who has no guarantee that they will be offered a full-time position once their internship is completed.

Marketing is an integral element of establishing and developing a business.

It needs application and continuity to ensure its success. To reduce this activity to scheme work reflects critically on a business and its commitment to providing employment.

If an owner does not believe that marketing is vital to the success of his/her business and is not prepared to invest money and resources in a person who has the right skillset, then that business deserves a very short existence.

While a discussion point can be made for start-up companies saving employee costs by using the JobBridge scheme, what case can be made for established and financially resourced companies, educational institutions, government organisations and multinationals availing of this yellow-pack scheme

Outside the marketing sphere, employers are also availing of the JobBridge scheme to avoid offering permanent employment, as a regular trawl through the ‘positions vacant’ section under JobBridge will attest.

The race to the bottom is well on its way.

The existence of JobBridge devalues my marketing degree, as it does the degrees of many others.

John Tierney

Ashtown

Kilmacthomas

Co Waterford