Ready for Work

Ready for Work (RFW) is a unique initiative that provides work experience and guidance to people who are looking to move on from homelessness into employment or training. Through Ready for Work, businesses in Ireland are able to make a direct impact on the lives of homeless people by providing a realistic experience of the world of work as part of a structured and supportive programme.

Registrations for the next programme are on the week beginning 30th August 2010 and the programme will run from the 11th October - 12th November 2010.

Click here

for our quarterly evaluation report (August 2010), which includes feedback from clients and companies about the work placements, client stories and more information.




Background
RFW recognises that employment is key to addressing disadvantage - it brings financial independence, increases confidence and self esteem, develops skills, builds social networks and can provide a route to independent living. However, many of the estimated 5,000 people who experience homelessness each year in Ireland encounter overwhelming barriers and prejudice in their search for employment, which greatly decreases their motivation and self-esteem.

The Ready for Work campaign, launched first in the UK in 1998, then in Ireland in 2002, aims to enable people to break out of the ‘cycle of homelessness' and move towards independence.

Since 2002, almost 200 homeless people in Dublin have engaged with RFW, and over 35 businesses have provided work placements or other forms of support. We work continuously with over 30 homeless services to find our candidates - those who are ready and motivated to get back into work or training. The programme is currently funded by FÁS and Marks & Spencer.
Ready for Work offers a real chance for change for hundreds of people affected by homelessness in Dublin. Around 65 percent of those who complete RFW placements go on to start jobs. Other outcomes and candidates' stories can be found in our Annual Review.

Click here for Ready for Work Review 2007

Click here for Ready for Work Review 2002 - 06

How the programme works
We run four programmes per year. Here is what's involved:

Referral

Homeless service providers refer candidates to us by sending a completed application form and risk assessment form. The RFW Application Form can be downloaded hereThe Risk Assessment Form can be downloaded here[Risk Assesment Form (84 KiB)]

Interview

Candidates are invited for interview to assess whether they are ‘job-ready' - ie are motivated and prepared for a return to work.

2 Days Training

Successful candidates attend two days of pre-employment training. Sessions are created specifically for marginalised groups and focus on communication, building confidence, managing change plus CV preparation and mock interviews.

3 Weeks Work Experience

Candidates' skills and interests are matched as far as possible to work placements being offered by participating businesses. Placements are:
• Supported - someone in the business acts as a ‘buddy' to the candidate for the three weeks to help them to ‘fit in' and do the job, and the RFW team are on call to deal with any issues that may arise
• Part Time/Full Time - usually part time hours are arranged to allow for child care and other appointments and to encourage candidates to build a routine gradually.
• Monday - Friday - placements don't include weekends. During week days the RFW team are available to support candidates and businesses
• Unwaged - so that there is no interruption to social welfare payments for candidates while on placement. Businesses cover the costs of travel, meals and uniform if required so that there is no cost incurred by the candidate

Previous RFW placements have been in the following areas:customer service, retail floor, office/reception, human resources, stock room, warehouse, maintenance, gardening/ landscaping, panel beating/ spray painting, kitchen/counter assistance, cleaning, stable hand

Action Day

Straight after the placement, candidates come back together with the trainers, agree an action plan to go forward and receive certificates and a reference. Employment agencies and businesses may attend that day.

The Support Network
A Training and Employment Officer offers ongoing support after the work placement, providing guidance and motivation during the job search and onwards into employment or training.

If a placement works out well and there is a suitable vacancy, businesses may go on to offer a job contract to the candidate. Our TEO continues to offer support as they re-adjust to the world of work.

RFW companies that have offered work placements and/or support are: Marks & Spencer, PEI, KPMG, Brown Thomas, Anglo Irish Bank, Arnotts, Hickeys Pharmacies, Maybin Clean, McDonalds, Radisson SAS Hotels, Cherry Orchard Equine Centre, Bespoke Gardens,Speedpak, Richmond Motors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chubb Ireland, Jurys Doyle Hotels, Dundrum Town Centre, Kennedy PR, Campbell Bewley Group, Woodies DIY, Irish Express Cargo, Westin Hotel.

More Information
Employers: click here for a fact sheet on all our employment programmes including Ready for Work.

If you are an employer and would like to discuss our employment programmes, please contact Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager on mhorgan@bitc.ie or 01 874 7232.

Candidates/Homeless Service Providers: Click here for a factsheet about Ready for Work

Please contact the Ready for Work Coordinator for upcoming programme dates and how to get involved at:
Tel: 01 8723814/ Mob: 086 0412972
Email: readyforwork@bitc.ie