JobBridge is a proven pathway to full-time employment – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that the JobBridge internship scheme is a clear and dependable pathway to full-time employment which has seen 36 per cent of intern graduates in Waterford moving directly into employment, while 61 per cent of interns nationally have secured employment five months after graduating from the scheme. Deputy Coffey obtained this information by way of a Parliamentary Question to Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD (see below).

“The figures released to me by Minister Burton show that since the scheme started in July 2011, some 16,326 placements have commenced nationally. Since that time, 556 placements have commenced in Waterford alone, with 200 placements currently on-going. An independent evaluation of the JobBridge scheme by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61 per cent of individuals who have participated in JobBridge have progressed into employment within five months of completing their internship placements. This means that if Waterford follows the national trend, 217 of the 356 interns that have completed their internships in Waterford, should have found full-time employment within five months.

“The figures also reveal that one out of every three interns in Waterford have secured employment immediately after completing their placement, either with their host organisation or with another employer. These results show that, despite the early criticism and downright defeatism of some of the commentary in respect of this scheme, it has been an overwhelming success.

“This scheme, the aim of which is to get people that have been out of work for a long spell back into employment, is having an impact. It is improving people’s prospects of regaining their livelihoods, while at the same time helping to get the economy back on a stronger footing. There is no doubt that the experience gained and skills learnt by interns while on their placements are leading to interns securing much needed jobs, as they add to the organisations that employ them and that are looking to expand.

“I am hopeful that JobBridge will continue to be a success and that it will be rolled out further so that more people can avail of it. I know that Minister Burton has reviewed this scheme with a view to allow as many people as possible to benefit from the internships. I would encourage those interested, to investigate the possibility of undertaking a JobBridge internship as a proven way to get back work.”

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Contact: Deborah Sweeney
0868586878

Question No: 671 Ref No: 17237-13
To the Minister for Social Protection
To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the total number of persons in County Waterford that have taken part in the JobBridge programme since its inception; the total number that have completed an internship; the total numbers that are now in full time employment after completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Paudie Coffey.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 16th April, 2013.

R E P L Y

Minister for Social Protection (Joan Burton T.D):

JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, came into operation on 1st July 2011. To-date, 16,326 placements have commenced. Of which, 556 placements have commenced in County Waterford. Of those in County Waterford, 356 individuals have now finished their internship and 200 individuals are currently on an internship. Of the 356 individuals who have finished their internship, 126 (36%) stated that they went directly into employment, either with their host organisation or with another employer, immediately on completion of their internship. This figure excludes interns who would have entered employment in the weeks subsequent to completing the internship.

An independent evaluation of JobBridge carried out by conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of individuals who have participated in JobBridge have progressed into employment within five months of completing their internship placements. This high level of progression into employment exceeds that of similar schemes across Europe, suggesting that JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention. If internships in County Waterford follow the national trend it would mean that 217 individuals would have found employment within 5 months of finishing their internship. Please see table below for further information.
 

Table 1.
JobBridge in County Waterford (1st July, 2011 – 11th April 2013)
Category Number of Individuals
Total Internships 556
Total Finishers 356
Total Finishers progressing into Employment on immediate completion of their internship 126
Number in Employment 5 months after completing internship based on Indecon analysis 217