90 GAA/JobBridge internships to be advertised Wednesday December 5th

The GAA can confirm that it will offer almost 90 new internships under the GAA / JobBridge Internship Scheme over the course of the next month as part of its ongoing commitment to the initiative.

To date more than 105 interns have been placed in 24 counties and the latest phase will be rolled out with a particular focus on Games Development and Coaching co-ordinators specifically in urban areas.

These positions are being offered in 23 counties and conform to the Association’s overall objective of providing up to 200 high quality internships at any one time in all four provinces.

GAA support of the scheme provides meaningful internships enabling interns to grow in competence and confidence as they develop their capabilities on the basis of experience and reflection.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill hopes to see a full take up of the latest positions on offer. He said: “We are delighted to be involved with the JobBridge initiative which offers people seeking employment a chance to up-skill and gain experience through the medium of our games and the administration of them.

“We have been encouraged by the take up of the positions offered to date and believe that those involved have embraced the opportunity to add to their skills and widen their experience at various different levels of the GAA.

“These latest positions place a special emphasis on games development blitzes in urban areas and are of obvious benefit to the Association as well as the intern”.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD stated: “I am delighted to announce that this successful collaboration between the GAA and JobBridge is extending into 2013. The GAA are a key partner in the continued roll-out of the scheme and their on-going support and commitment to providing high quality internship opportunities is invaluable”.

JobBridge was launched in July 2011 to assist people who are returning or entering the work force.  The Scheme has made significant progress to-date.  Over 12,500 individuals have commenced internship opportunities to date.  A recent independent evaluation of the scheme conducted by Indecon contained a number of very positive findings for JobBridge.

The most significant is that 52% of JobBridge ‘finishers’ are currently in paid employment since finishing their internship.  This is one of the best outcomes inEuropefor work placement programmes.

For more information about the scheme including eligibility and the latest positions, visit www.jobbridge.gaa.ie.