ONE of Europe’s most influential figures when it comes to jobs visited Dublin last week to see first hand the Youth Guarantee pilot project in Ballymun.
The EU-wide initiative is providing up to e8 billion for jobs, training and education for under 25s and Ballymun was selected as one of just 18 areas across Europe to pilot the scheme.
Last week European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, was welcomed to Ballymun by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton to see how the project was working on the ground.
The guarantee is designed to ensure all under 25s receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of leaving formal education or becoming unemployed.
It was developed in response to the youth unemployment crisis across Europe were an estimated 7.5 million young people aged 15-24 are not employed, not in education and not in training.
Commissioner Andor and Minister Burton worked closely to secure the agreement of Member States on the Youth Guarantee during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council in 2013.
The selection of Ballymun for a pilot project was seen as a major boost for what is one of the areas hardest hit in Ireland by unemployment.
During his visit Commissioner Andor recalled what he described as
“the invaluable drive and commitment
? of Minister Burton to adopt the Youth Guarantee.
“I thank Ireland for the important concrete steps it has already taken to implement the scheme,
? he said.
“The Youth Guarantee pilot project in Ballymun, one of the 18 that the Commission is currently co-financing, is an ambitious project, and one that will give us valuable experience on how to develop the Youth Guarantee not only in Ireland but in all Member States.
“It is also an inspiring example of how Ireland has put to good use available funding from the European Social Fund. I now encourage the Irish authorities to continue their good work to put the guarantee into effect.
?
Minister Burton said Commissioner Andor had been instrumental in the development of the Youth Guarantee.
“I’m delighted to welcome him to Ballymun to see the pilot project at first hand,
? she said.
“In Ireland, we have made good progress in reducing unemployment generally, including youth unemployment, but we have much more to do. The Guarantee is central to that process, and is about ensuring young jobseekers have the work, training and education opportunities they need.
?
Earlier this year Minister Burton launched an implementation plan setting out how the Guarantee will be implemented nationwide over the course of 2014 and 2015.
“The very encouraging work undertaken in Ballymun to date will provide important lessons for us in implementing the Guarantee in other parts of the country so that our young jobseekers get the chance to build the best possible futures for themselves, their families and their communities,
? she continued.
The Ballymun pilot involves an initial group engagement at the local Intreo office, the Department’s
‘one stop shop’ service where jobseekers get income and employment supports in the one place.
Jobseekers are then referred to the Local Employment Service for a one-to-one interview with a career guidance worker where a personal progression plan is agreed.
Based on an assessment of needs, the person will be guaranteed an offer of basic skills development, further education or training, work experience or employment within four months.
All people under 25 on the Live Register in the Ballymun area are eligible for the pilot.
Over the course of this year, processes and programmes will be progressively rolled out to ensure that young unemployed across Ireland who have a low probability of finding employment without significant support will receive a Youth Guarantee offer within four months.