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WebActivate launch for jobseekers, firms

Wednesday, February 06 12:35:11

WebActivate, a new digital skills training programme for jobseekers was launched today by Digital Skills Academy and Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon.

The programme, delivered by Digital Skills Academy with Dublin Institute of Technology as the awarding body, is designed to support jobseekers to start new careers working in digital, while simultaneously supporting 2,000 businesses in Ireland to get web-activated.

WebActivate is part of the Government's "Action Plan for Jobs Programme", a new Labour Market Education and Training Fund recently launched. The fund, known as Momentum, commits E20 million from the National Training Fund (NTF) towards targeted training interventions for the long-term unemployed.

Momentum has been designed to provide targeted interventions to tackle the skills shortages in particular sectors of the Irish economy where vacancies have been identified and will provide up to 6,500 training places for the unemployed.

Some of the places have been targeted specifically at young unemployed people. Momentum will be co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Programmes are free-of-charge for eligible jobseekers who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. Projects will include an element of on-the-job training in the form of work experience modules and the development of the workplace skills required to obtain and retain employment.

The programme, which commences in March, with 250 places offered initially, will be delivered in Dublin, Cork, Portlaoise and Monaghan Town.

The programme provides participants with an opportunity to build on their existing knowledge and skills and previous employment experience by re-skilling for new careers in digital.

2,000 small and medium sized businesses, who are eircom customers, will also benefit from the programme, as programme participants apply their new online publishing and digital marketing skills to help develop the online presence of the businesses.

Paul Dunne, CEO of Digital Skills Academy said "Our focus here is on moving people back into employment, by equipping them with the skills that are now in demand. The WebActivate programme aims to increase the supply of marketing-orientated web publishers and digital marketeers, which have been identified as occupations currently experiencing skills shortages. This programme provides a great opportunity for jobseekers with a retail and sales background to build on their skills and move into digital. Providing participants with on-the-job experience, helping businesses better communicate and drive sales online, is essential to help our participants to build up their experience and credentials to start new careers in digital."