What was the Job Rotation Programme?
This programme was specifically funded to get women back into employment. Simply put, it enables unemployed women to gain employment so that other employees within the host organisation can be released for training.
What is Job Rotation?
The concept is quite simple
Job Rotation supports company and staff development by
- providing vocational training for selected staff
- supplying and training unemployed women as workers to substitute for the staff released on training leave
Although a relatively new programme to Northern Ireland , the Job Rotation concept is already helping to transform learning in the workplace throughout Europe . Currently, more than 3,000 companies Europe wide have participated in Job Rotation. Almost 90,000 employees have received training and 20,000 unemployed people have trained as substitutes and re-entered employment.
Why Job Rotation?
Benefits for Companies
Investment in staff development is a major key to survival and growth, but carries a cost in terms of releasing key staff and finding the right training. Job Rotation provides tailored training for staff of small and medium sized enterprises, whilst providing a replacement worker to cover whilst existing employees are released on training.
Benefits for Company Employees
Company employees will improve their knowledge, skills and qualifications through supplementary training and general education, increasing effectiveness in their role and improving job security
Benefits for Unemployed Women
'Can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job' ,
Job Rotation helps unemployed women break this classic 'Catch 22' cycle by providing a 6 month paid work placement along with the opportunity to improve their vocational skills and qualifications.
Benefits for the Wider Economy
Job Rotation meets three separate but interrelated needs of the local economy.
- Tackling unemployment
- Encouraging business development trough staff training and learning
- Promoting Lifelong Learning
For Job Rotation Trainees:
As part of your pre-employment training you will be provided with the following nationally recognised qualifications:
- Employment Skills level 1
- And, some of the following:
- Basic Computing (eg E-citizen)
- Communication Skills
- Application of Number
Support:
As a Woman who has been out of work you may feel that you lack the skills or the confidence to return to work. This is why the programme is carefully structured to include pre-employment training to ensure that you are ready for the challenges of the workplace. Skills from preparing for the interview, communication skills and customer care are covered during this programme. Once in work you will be supported by your employer-mentor, as well as by your development office, who you will meet regularly as you work towards completing your level 2 qualification.
These were some of the comments from past trainees who have been successful with Job Rotation;
Pamela Wilson, a Job Rotation Trainee who has successfully secured employment after her six month placement, said "After taking part in the training programme I felt a lot more confident going into employment, as it gave me experience of filling in application forms and practical help for going to interviews".
Darryl McCorkindale, another trainee, agreed saying, "The Job Rotation Programme gave me a good opportunity to get some qualifications and an opportunity to get a good job."
Jacqueline Newberry Job Rotation Trainee said, "I feel I have fitted in well into Belfast Carers, the Job Rotation Programme gave me the opportunity to gain invaluable skills and qualifications to get started on the career ladder."
For Employers:
In the past two years we have worked with 28 employers from around the province and from different sectors. Here's what a few of them had to say about Job Rotation;
Perry Donaldson (Managing Director of the North Down Group) said, "The programme proved to be an invaluable resource at a time when the business was undergoing rapid expansion. The Job Rotation Programme assisted me to provide ICT training for staff on a new computer system which had been implemented and the Job Rotation Trainee provided the necessary cover."
Felix Mooney, Managing Director of the Mooney Hotel Group, has described the project as a "win win opportunity, it gets people back into work, and it motivates our staff and develops their skills which boosts business. Job Rotation goes some way to solving the skills shortage in our business."
Sheenagh Lavery, Quality Manager Uponar Radius, said "Having participated on previous employment programmes it had proved difficult to get appropriate work ready people. However [our job rotation trainee] has exceeded our expectations and has become a valued member of the team."
Paula Wilson, Business Coordinator with Jenkinson Consulting said "We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and for assisting us in finding a new team member. We found the Job Rotation scheme to be a superb opportunity for Jenkinson Consulting, for [our job rotation trainee] and for many of our clients to whom we have passed on your details." |
