The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
The programme is delivered through independent Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies. The Department gives financial support to these Sponsoring Bodies in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the Community Employment programme, for example participant wages, supervisor grants, materials grants and specific skills training grants.
Participation on CE is intended to be for a temporary fixed-term. On completion of a CE Scheme participants are referred to my Department’s activation areas who work with them to ensure that the benefits of the experience and training received during his time on CE are maximised. Case Officers will engage with clients on an ongoing basis and work with them to agree a personal progression plan (PPP) and support them in order to avail of all reasonable employment opportunities offered to them.
