WORK EXPERIENCE
The scheme enables individuals to re-enter the active workforce by breaking the cycle of unemployment through quality work experience, and assisting them to progress into (i) further employment (ii) further education or (iii) setting up with own business with the assistance of the enterprise supports available from Southside Partnership DLR.
During their time on PICES, staff members develop personal and work skills, achieved through on-the-job training, internal and external work experience placements and training programmes offered through the Southside Partnership DLR and through external training funded by the Department of Social Protection training grant.
TRAINING
Each member of staff is encouraged to develop their skills and a professional work ethic during their time on the scheme. Individual training is organised following a detailed training needs analysis and is reviewed on a regular basis. All staff are encouraged to participate in accredited training courses to develop their work readiness and enhance their CV’s.
PROGRESSION
PICES staff members are provided with the opportunity to link in with a range of supports while on the scheme, including the Local Area Employment Service for job seeking support, the Enterprise Department for self-employment support and the Adult Guidance Service for educational support.
Weekly job lists are distributed to each staff member and a progression plan is formulated with the scheme supervisor.
The scheme supports the local community by enhancing the work that takes place in community centres, family resource centres and support agencies, and benefits the individual by supporting them back to work or education.
To find out more about our current CE vacancies, or for more information on Community Employment in general, please contact our CE Supervisor Tim Reidy on 0876291215 or by email tim.reidy@sspship.ie
PICES STAFF TESTIMONIALS
Since working with PICES I have gained so much confidence, I had never worked in an office and had no experience working with computers. I would now be totally confident in applying for any job and have the added bonus of having done the ECDL and First Aid FETAC level 5. I also have a sky-diving certificate and Kayaking skill’s level 1&2 certificate. After spending nearly ten years unemployed I can say with complete honesty that PICES has changed my life. THANK YOU PICES. Activities & Administration Assistant
‘Since I started working on the Community Employment Scheme last July I have found the whole experience very positive and rewarding. Working in the Local Employment Service office in Monkstown, it gave me the opportunity to put all my skills into practice gaining a tremendous amount of confidence and knowledge.’ Administration Assistant
“My time with PICES CE scheme has been fantastic I have gained so many qualifications , experience and confidence that I am now ready to apply for any position knowing I can do it” Receptionist / Administration Assistant
Useful information:
The Community Employment (CE) Programme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed (or otherwise disadvantaged) to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities for 19.5 hours per week. Participants can take up other part-time work during their placement. After the placement, participants are encouraged to seek permanent jobs elsewhere, based on the experience and new skills they have gained while on a Community Employment scheme.
In general, you must be unemployed. People who are getting Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers Allowance are allowed a maximum of 30 worked days in the past 12-month qualifying period before starting a CE scheme.
You must also be getting any combination of the following payments for at least 12 months: Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA), Jobseeker’s Transitional payment (JST), One-Parent Family Payment (OFP), Deserted Wife’s Benefit, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension, or Farm Assist.
If you do not qualify for CE under the eligibility criteria above, you may still be eligible for the scheme if you are aged 18 years and over and you are:
- Getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Invalidity Pension, or
- Getting Illness Benefit for at least 6 months
Are you interested in getting involved with a Community Employment scheme but unsure where to start? We have a helpful video that can provide you with all the information you need to get started.
This video covers the various ways in which Community Employment can benefit you, including the opportunities for skills development and personal growth that come with working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
So if you are interested in finding out more about Community Employment and how it can benefit you, please take a look at this video and get involved today.