A useful intervention by DETE

Thank God the  DETE through FAS has relaxed the eligibility criteria of the Work Placement Programme, aimed at providing 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, while they continue to maintain their social welfare entitlements. The key changes relate to the eligibility criteria. For unemployed participants the following criteria have been amended so that recipients of most social welfare payments, including Job Seekers' Allowance and Job Seekers' Benefit, will now be eligible to apply. Unemployed graduates who are not receiving a social welfare payment will also now be eligible to apply. 

The key changes relating to the eligibility criteria of firms providing placements are that will be open to all sectors of the economy including, the private, public, and now the community and voluntary sectors. In addition the previous requirement for a firm to have at least 10 employees has been removed. More to follow in the coming weeks from FAS and DETE. Now all you need to do is find a good graduate that can add value to your business. A win win!