JobBridge - Internship Scheme for SMEs
If you're an SME with at least one full-time employee, you might be interested in the new internship scheme from the Government.
JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period.
The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The scheme will also give people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.
The scheme will provide for up to 5,000 work experience placements in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Interns will receive an allowance of €50 per week on top of their existing social welfare entitlement and this will be payable for the period of the internship.
To find out how to apply as an employer under the JobBridge scheme, visit www.jobbridge.ie
Is your SME eligible?
- This programme is open to host organisations in the private, public (including commercial semi-state) or community and voluntary sectors.
- In order to qualify for an internship an organisation, or a local branch, must have a minimum of 1 full time employee who is employed for 30 hours or more per week (i.e. on payroll and subject to tax and PRSI).
- The host organisation must be a legal entity and/or a charity recognised by the Revenue Commissioners (with a CHY number).
- The host organisation may not provide an internship opportunity under the Scheme to an individual they have existing employment relationship with
- The host organisation may not be a Sole Trader.
- The host organisation currently may not have vacancies in the area of activity in which the internship is offered.
- The internship will not be provided to displace an employee. The scheme administrator reserves the right to review cases where it is reported that this is the case.
- The host organisation's public/employers liability insurance and motor insurance, if applicable, will cover any interns on this scheme.
- The host organisation must be fully compliant with current workplace health and safety and all other legal requirements.
- The host organisation has responsibility to ensure that the appropriate process is applied to placements that require Garda vetting. Interns must agree to comply with requests for Garda Vetting where necessary in accordance with the host organisation's policy on Garda Vetting.