William Cotter
Question:40 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Labour if he will restore the work experience programme to cater for young persons who have left school and/or finished training; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Work Experience Programme.
The work experience programme was introduced in 1978 with the objective of helping young people (under 25) who had left the educational system but could not obtain employment because they lacked experience. It was decided to terminate the programme in 1987 because it was considered that many of the participants were those least in need of assistance as they already possessed the necessary qualifications to secure employment without State help. The programme was not intended for persons who had participated in training programmes after leaving school.
I am satisfied that current programmes such as Teamwork, Youthreach and other training programmes including the more recently introduced pilot job training scheme provide more effective initiatives to assist young people obtain employment and in the circumstances I have no plans to reintroduce the work experience programme.