Local agencies team up for information day
Unemployment is at an all time high in Ireland and Co Longford has not escaped the wrath of the economic downturn. Figures from the local social welfare office indicate a steep rise in unemployment with 5,157 on the Live Register in December 2009, which is an increase of 34.5% over December 2008. Significantly 57% of those on the Live Register have lost their jobs within the last 12 months. Moreover males account for almost 70% of those on the Live Register.
Mary Farrell, Adult Guidance Officer with Co. Longford VEC states that the Adult Guidance Service is witnessing a dramatic rise in the number of adults seeking to return to education. In 2009, 1,864 clients accessed the guidance service for information and educational guidance, a marked increase on previous years figures.
Indeed Mary remarks that the profile of the client accessing the service has changed to reflect the current economic climate. When the service was established in 2002, the clients comprised mainly early school leavers and women returning to education after years spent in the home. Now the service is experiencing a new 'unemployed', 'a highly skilled clientele with vast experience in different fields – professional trades people, the self-employed, graduates and indeed individuals with postgraduate qualifications who have been made redundant as a result of the economic downturn.
Many of these people have never before experienced unemployment and indeed many have been self-employed and absent from the education and training arena for some time and therefore unaware of the numerous possibilities for education, training and general upskilling available here in Co Longford.
Last year a number of key organisations in Longford worked collaboratively to hold a very successful information day on education, training, enterprise and employment opportunities. Hundreds of people attended the day, gathering information at the various stands and attending the workshops delivered free of charge by professionals in the various sectors. Key personnel were on hand to answer questions and offer advice. Similarly this year there will be an Information Day in the Longford Arms Hotel, Longford Town from 11 am to 7 pm on Wednesday 17th February 2010.
The Information Day will provide information on education, training, career planning, enterprise, employment and volunteering opportunities. Key organisations represented on the day will include Longford Community Resources Ltd, County Longford VEC, FAS, EDI Centre for the Unemployed, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Teagasc, and the County Enterprise Board – along with other groups such as Longford Citizens Information Service, Longford County Library, Lus na Greine, Acorn, Jobs Club, Longford Women's Link, National Learning Network, MESA (Midland Employment Support Agency) and INOU (Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed). Members of the public can call in anytime and get information at any of the stands.
Throughout the day, there will be short 20 minute talks/workshops on Educational Opportunities and Career Planning (Adult Guidance Service, County Longford VEC); Ideas Generation for Starting Your Own Business (County Enterprise Board); Coping with Redundancy (EDI) and Entitlements (EDI)
The event is free and open to all members of the public to call in any time between 11am and 7pm. Parents/guardians with small children are welcome to bring their children along with them too.
If you need any further information, please contact Rita on 043 – 3347515
The event is being funded by Longford Community Resources Ltd through the Local and Community Development Programme and through the time and commitment of all the agencies and organisations involved.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
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Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
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