Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is the network for responsible business.
We work with companies to help them reach their goal of being responsible and sustainable. We currently have 87 member companies in our network.
Business Action on Employment is BITCI’s initiative for inclusive employment. We encourage companies to cast their net wide when it comes to finding new employees. We also provide ways for them to support job seekers who are marginalised. We have two employment programmes: Ready for Work supports people moving on from homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, early school leaving and other backgrounds, and EPIC support immigrants. Through these programmes businesses provide training, work experience and access to jobs.
SSE Airtricity is a member of Business in the Community’s network. SSE is Ireland’s second largest and fastest growing energy provider, supplying around 800,000 domestic and commercial gas, electricity and home energy services customers in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
SSE Airtricity and Business in the Community Ireland are this year piloting an employment programme, SSE Works, modelled on SSE’s Youth Employability programme which has been running in Scotland in partnership with Barnardos. It aims to address a real need: the OECD reports that young people with low education levels fare poorly in Ireland, with 65% of people who dropped out of school before completing upper secondary being NEET (not in employment, education or training), compared to just 13% of those with a third level degree.
Objectives of the project
SSE Works is aimed at people who are not in education employment or training and who are in receipt of a social welfare payment. The programme is open to all such jobseekers, but priority will be given to younger jobseekers (ie under 30 years old) to reflect the disproportionate numbers of young people on the live register. The goal is to support 6-10 people towards sustained employment by providing training and paid work opportunities in SSE in customer service roles.
The main expected outcome is that participants will progress to sustainable employment with SSE; a secondary goal is that participants will take up work with another company, or education or training. Additional aims are: for participants to better understand workplace skills, etiquette, culture, language, routine, work attire; test a model of collaboration between BITCI, a member company and local employment services; measure outcomes and evaluate the pilot to create a model that is replicable and scalable.
Role Purpose
To provide one to one guidance and support to 6-10 people towards sustainable employment; to work closely with the Project Manager, SSE Airtricity staff and referring employment services to ensure that the project’s objectives are met. The position reports to the Project Manager and the role involves regular travel to SSE Airtricity Head Offices in Leopardstown and to BITCI offices in Dublin 1. Expected start date: 29th May 2017.
Responsibilities
Support the Project Manager in preparing applicants for their initial assessment with SSE
Input into the design of the 1 week pre-placement training course for 12 people; facilitate the training with one other trainer
Help to deliver a half day’s briefing session for SSE Team Leaders
Offer support to business volunteers who have buddying/mentoring relationships with the participants
Monitor and support 6- 10 work experience placements; organise monthly catch up meetings with the participant and company supervisor
Meet with each person during placements for guidance and support in resolving issues
Signpost those completing the placements into training, education and employment opportunities; motivate participants to progress and help to smooth their transition into work
Collect feedback from participants and business volunteers; support the ongoing evaluation of the project
Act as an ambassador for BITCI and Business Action on Employment
Fulfill administrative duties and any other duties as may be required
Essential experience, qualifications and knowledge
Experience of working with and motivating young or vulnerable people
Two or more years’ experience of working in a professional team
Experience of delivering workshops or group training
An understanding of the current job market and best practice in job seeking
An appreciation of issues facing businesses, especially the importance of managing risk and engaging employees
Desirable
One or more years’ experience of the private sector in a relationship management/ project management/ Human Resources role
Competencies
Relationship Building, Interpersonal Skills, Networking & Service Excellence, Communication & Influencing, Planning & Results Orientation, Leadership, Research & Analysis,
How to Apply
To apply for this role please send your CV and cover letter via email to Anna Greenhalgh at agreenhalgh@bitc.ie by Friday 12th May 2017. Interviews to be held week commencing Monday 22nd May. Start date: 29th May.
Business in the Community Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. Our website is at www.bitc.ie