A community project based all over Donegal is responding to the improved job sector to help people find employment and gain skills to enhance job opportunities.
Caring and effective one-on-one assistance for people seeking employment or job-related training is available at the Regional Employment Service, which so far this year has helped secure employment for more than 40 clients throughout Donegal and training for many more.
The majority of positions that RES clients have taken up recently are in the areas of administration, construction, health, hospitality, and sales, followed by childcare and engineering.
“We have noticed an increase in employment opportunities throughout Donegal and are finding we’re better able to help people become employed as a result,” said Helen Clarke, Project Officer at RES, which is a Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) initiative funded by the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme.
“There is also a high demand for jobs, though, so it’s paramount that clients are job ready,” Ms Clarke said.
Services that RES offers free of charge to help boost job readiness include CV preparation, cover letter writing, interview skills, and assistance with the online application forms that many employers are now using.
“Clients are finding they don’t know where to start with these online competency-based application forms, some of which are 15 pages long,” said Mary Higgins, RES Project Officer. “We go through each form with the client individually and assist them in completing it, ensuring that all parts are completed in the format required. RES can also photocopy forms so the client has a copy to refer to if they are selected for an interview.”
Liaising directly with local employers is a further approach taken by RES on behalf of clients.
“Employers contact us to see if we have anyone suitable for positions that they have available,” said Deirdre O’Donnell, RES Administrative Support Worker. “We check our database to source suitable candidates with the skills needed for the job, and then ring to see if those clients are interested in applying for the position. We are always careful to match candidates who have the skills for the job.”
RES has additionally helped clients enhance their job prospects through courses such as Safe Pass, Customer Service, Palliative Care, and Handling Food Hygienically. A “Time for Me” course which has been designed to build confidence and identify skills is another support that RES offers.
Further possible RES avenues to employment include referral to DLDC’s Lifelong Learning Programme or the DLDC Employment and Enterprise Project for those interested in starting their own business.
Appointments are available at the RES office in the Congress Resource Centre on the Pearse Road in Letterkenny, as well as during the first week of each month at eight locations throughout the county: Ardara Community Centre, Donegal Town Family Resource Centre, Dunfanaghy Family Resource Centre, Foresters’ Hall in Killybegs, the IRD office in Milford, St. Johnston and Carrigans Family Resource Centre, Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre, and The Base Entreprise Centre in Stranorlar. RES appointments are also available upon request at locations in Raphoe, Glenties, and Castlefinn.
More information about RES services is available by ringing (074) 916 1979 or sending an email to resadmin@dldc.org.
Tags: