Ibec event celebrates new signatories to Employment and Youth Engagement Charter
Ibec, the group representing Ibec business, today hosted an event to celebrate over 20 companies signing up to the Employment and Youth Engagement Charter.
The Charter, launched earlier this year by Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Peter Burke, is an important tool to support jobseekers facing barriers to employment. It focuses on several key areas that employers can support such as CV and interview preparation, mentoring, work-shadowing, offering site visits, work experience and employment opportunities.
Ibec’s Head of Social Policy and Skills, Kara McGann said, “Ibec is delighted to mark the commitments being made by employers to provide opportunities for people looking to enter or re-enter the labour market, including young people, people with disabilities, older workers who have lost their jobs, returners to the labour market following caring responsibilities, and members of minority groups.
The Employment and Youth Charter fosters an approach to encourage and support individuals distant from the labour market or facing challenges, to gain employability skills and access to employment. By delivering on the Charter commitments, signatories will be equipping job seekers with the skills they need to thrive, thus committing to the long-term success of Ireland's economy.”
The event featured insights from leading business representatives Edel McSorley, Head of Operations, Mr Price, and Davina Lavin, Human Resources Manager, Provincial, on how they have successfully hired from diverse groups and the transformative impact it has had on their business.
Speaking at the Charter event, John McKeon, Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection encouraged more employers to get involved and shared practical advice and on how to access government supports such as Jobs Plus and the Work Experience Placement Programme.
John McKeon, Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection said, "Intreo provides a range of supports to help employers and jobseekers overcome these barriers, including valuable recruitment subsidies, work placement and training programmes, candidate matching and help with workplace adaptations.
By signing up to the Employment and Youth Engagement Charter employers not only commit to avail of these supports but to go further and work proactively to champion new opportunities for those most distant from the work force. By enlisting with Intreo as Charter Champion, employers can change a jobseekers life by helping them on their pathway to employment."
