Registration for courses supported by Labour Market Activation scheme available on Bluebrick.ie

June 7th, 2010  BlueBrick.ie has mobilised to provide the most user-friendly method of accessing information for those who are interested in applying for courses funded under the recently announced Labour Market Activation scheme.  This scheme is targeted at over 6,500 jobseekers, offering funded programmes that will provide various levels of qualifications.  BlueBrick.ie is the centralised portal for the Institutes of Technology in Ireland (IoTI), allowing users to compare courses and register online with ease, including courses funded under the scheme.  A variety of programmes are available in the IoTs that are covered by the scheme. These include renewable energy and energy management, building insulation, professional cookery, entrepreneurship, business management, ICT, mechanical engineering, building surveying, real estate and construction management. 

The Labour Market Activation scheme has put a €20 million fund in place to stimulate innovation in the provision of training and activation measures for jobseekers. This is a joint initiative by the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment, the Department of Education & Science and the Higher Education Authority, to help improve the skills of the unemployed, whilst assisting them with returning to the workplace.

The scheme will be specifically targeted at thousands of job seekers who find themselves unemployed because of a decline in the sector they were working in, such as construction, manufacturing, or retail. People who have little or no qualifications and the long term unemployed will also be targeted.  It will provide programmes that provide qualifications at Levels 1 to 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, or equivalent for people who do not have a Leaving Cert or equivalent. Re-skilling programmes will also be provided for up to Level 5, or honours bachelor degree level.

Commented Dr. Richard Thorn, Director of Flexible Learning at IoTI, “The Labour Market Activation scheme is a hugely important development and opportunity for those who find themselves unemployed and wish to upskill and attain a higher level of education.  BlueBrick.ie is maximising its resources and offering valuable support to those interested in registering for such courses.  We have established ourselves as a crucial tool for many people interested in building a future for themselves, and we intend to continue to do so, on a wider scale, with the information we have made available on our site in relation to this scheme.”

Applicants who are eligible for the scheme include persons in receipt of social welfare payments over the previous 12 months from the Department of Social and Family Affairs or otherwise, and those persons who have received statutory redundancy who have established an entitlement to a Social Welfare payment.

BlueBrick.ie has registered a six-fold increase in traffic to the site since its public launch in February.  It is a unique tool which allows members of the public who are interested in developing their career opportunities to find a course to best fit their schedule, and their previous experience.

Visit the BlueBrick.ie LMA mini-portal.