Just 1 in 4 JobBridge trainees get full-time work

More than 2,000 people in Galway availed of the Government’s controversial internship scheme JobBridge, which aims to get young people back to work.

JobBridge was introduced by the Coalition as a stepping-stone for people to get off the Live Register but new figures suggest that just one-in-four who availed of the scheme secured full-time employment.

It has prompted the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) to call for an overhaul of the scheme – to make it fairer for participants, and more beneficial as they seek full-time work.

Among the recommendations are to increase the social welfare top-up stipend to participants from €50 to €100 a week.

The official figures reveal that some 2,026 people in Galway participated in the JobBridge scheme since it was introduced. Currently, there are some 412 people on JobBridge schemes in companies and organisations right across Galway City and County.

A study by NYCI of people aged 18-25 who took part in JobBridge has shown mixed results. It found that some 57% of people are satisfied with their internship but just 27% of them secured full-time employment.

“The findings of this research are mixed,” said James Doorley, NYCI deputy director.

“While a majority of participants were satisfied following participation, the research identified a number of deficiencies and a lack of quality. These issues range from poorly designed internships, inadequate mentoring, instances of unacceptable treatment of interns and lack of rights and clarity on rights.

“Other issues which emerged included insufficient monitoring, job displacement and inadequate income support. We are also concerned that only 27% secured full time employment,” he said.

NYCI has recommended that he scheme be restricted to organisations where progression to employment is high, and doubling the existing top up payment from €50 to €100 per week. Mr Doorley said the scheme costs the taxpayer €85 million a year, and so we should “demand and expect much higher standards and much better results”.

“As the economy grows and employment recovers it is vital that we provide jobseekers quality work experience opportunities.

“It is also crucial that schemes such as JobBridge do not lead to job displacement and undermine the availability of the entry level jobs that many young people depend on to start their career.

“We must ensure that JobBridge is a stepping stone into employment and not just another dead end,” he said.