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Teachers taking up JobBridge scheme in the bad books with the union

The INTO has directed its members not to participate in the scheme.

TEACHERS WHO HAVE taken up places on the JobBridge scheme have been criticised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).

The union reminded its members in their monthly magazine that there is a directive in place instructing union members not to participate in the JobBridge National Internship scheme because they feel it is “exploitative of newly qualified teachers”.

The directive relates only to teaching positions on JobBridge, though they said that some roles advertised with other titles “were clearly designed to recruit a qualified primary teacher to a teaching position”.

Teaching positions

In the June issue of the magazine, In Touch, they said that following an “extensive consultation” with members and discussions at an INTO Branch and District Officers’ Conference in 2011 it was decided they would not to support the JobBridge scheme for graduates.

The scheme is viewed by INTO as being exploitative of newly qualified teachers.

Since May 2013, the union says 28 complaints against 22 members have been received and are being processed under Rule 104 and 105 of the INTO Rules and Constitution.

“These complaints have all been made by members alleging that an identified INTO member breached the INTO directive. In all cases, conciliation was unsuccessfully attempted to bring about a resolution of the matter,” they stated.

They said five of these cases have been heard by the Arbitration Board with four scheduled for June.

They said that a letter of reminder about the directive was sent to schools in May 2013.

Read: 1,500 jobseekers are being put on compulsory JobBridge>

Read: USI says ‘internship culture’ to blame for low graduate wages>

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    Mute Live at Oriel
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:25 PM

    It’s a pity the leaders of the teacher’s unions dident take as strong a stance on Haddington road than they are here.The leadership of all three unions has also forgotten it’s younger members by allowing such a pay disparity open up between young teachers and those who are longer in the profession .I I don’t blame an unemployed young teacher going for job bridge even though i am opposed to it and see it as exploitation.The trade union leaders in this country acrooss the board have not represented their members very well.They are getting huge salaries and yet won’t stand up to management .I also find it incredible that the country’s largest union SIPTU are still affiliated to the Labour party.A party that has sold out completly on it’s socialist principles.

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    Mute cnocánanmactíre
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:01 PM

    Live at oriel, a point well made. The unions are pathetic. They stood by and let younger teachers take a massive hit on their starting salaries, without a whimper. Likewise, last year, with teachers/principals etc earning in excess of €65k.

    Their performance on Haddington Road was laughable. They had the audacity to call it an agreement. It was an ultimatum not an agreement.

    They asked members to do a father Ted style, Down with that sort of thing protest against the new junior cert. Why? To save face and justify their massive spending and huge salaries. Sure, we’ll just organise a big protest and that’ll keep the plebs happy.

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    Mute alwaysrightokay
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:20 PM

    There should be a strike on at any union shop where management attempt to bring in unpaid employees. Why are the unions taking such a pathetic stance on this.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Jun 13th 2014, 4:25 PM

    The same Teachers, and their Unions, having pulled the ladder up after themselves are now ‘concerned’ about young Teachers and fear they may be exploited?!?

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:54 PM

    Jobridge needs to be scrapped. Thousands of real jobs lost to this scam. Abused by the government and the private sector. Tesco and Super Valu are 2 companies that employ many people through Jobridge, interns to stack shelves. Tesco looking for 145 interns on Jobridge. Pay the people to do the Jobs.

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    Mute John Everyman
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:40 PM

    Job bridge positions which require a third level education are a joke.

    How many skilled graduates in specialist fields are being denied paid employment because of this scheme.

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    Mute Tordel Back
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    Jun 14th 2014, 12:02 AM

    Lots. I was recently unemployed for 2 years, and I have post-grad and professional qualifications in my field, and 25 years experience – time and again I would see JobBridge schemes in place of even entry-level jobs. Back in January I lost a contract (I’m now self-employed) to a competitor who was getting the tendered work done via JobBridge, even though the employee in question had qualifications and 10 years experience. Hard to compete against staff that are costing 60 euro a week.

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    Mute Laura Byrne®
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:16 PM

    Jobsbridge disgusts me

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:52 PM

    That Job bridge scheme is a disgrace its slavery. 40 plus hours per week for a extra 20 euro in your social welfare payment, i know people shouldnt jyst be handed 186 per week for doing nothing but a extra 20 for that amount of hours. F*ck that.

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:15 PM

    I know people like to criticise Job Bridge here on the Journal.

    Let me be the first to say many people have got benefit from their Job Bridge assignment.

    If some employers are exploiting the scheme they shouldn’t. But many employers do not.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:12 PM

    Think you might be the first and only one to say it. The scheme has no credibility as its obviously not being managed correctly, they let any position get advertised plus there are no proper sanctions for employers who abuse it.

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    Mute Joanna
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:13 PM

    The only benefit I got was industry experience. But essentially I was working a full time professional job for less than minimum wage. Its extortion.

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:53 PM

    There were positions as car washers advertised last year. That is beyond disgusting!

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    Mute P O Leary
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:29 PM

    I seen one on the fas website and it was an Agricultural Contractor looking for an intern to drive a tractor. It stated you must have a full driving licence.
    Now if yoy already have a full driving licence then surely you do not need a 9 month internship to train. How are these people gettong away with this.
    Im sure it works for some people but most of these “jobs” like the one mentioned above is just some greedy fecker wanting free labour….

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    Mute Ava Emc
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:34 PM

    Some have been lucky but by large most have not. I know that it has destroyed jobs for people in their late 20′s, 30′s and 40′s. Not kidding. I know 5 companies using it and they are not hiring arterwards. They make so much profit and I do not see why they can not hire then. It is widely abused and destroyed thousands of jobs.

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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:12 PM

    They are traitors to the working class.

    63
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    Mute Kevin Manley
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:27 PM

    Troll

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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:32 PM

    I am not a troll.

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    Mute Kevin Manley
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:36 PM

    Ah but you are. You are an embarrassment to republicans. Cop on with your idiotic comments on every story. You are like a broken record. Take up another avatar and get a new story to tell.

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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:38 PM

    I am not an embarrassment to republicans. And less of these personal and politically motivated attacks please.

    13
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    Mute coolioboi
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:42 PM

    You’ve made your point about Sinn Fein
    So much so that my eyes are in pain
    We know that you detest Gerry and Mary Lou
    Now,go away and we’ll all thank you
    And your true party will keep it’s reign

    45
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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:45 PM

    A chara. I do not detest Mary Lou or Gerry Adams (Ireland Mandela). I hope they lead the next government. I have made that quite clear on this site.

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:57 PM

    Your profile picture says it all.

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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:57 PM

    James Connelly? A hero to the working class.

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:59 PM

    No it tells me what kind of Nob you are.

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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:04 PM

    What is a Nob?

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    Mute Mark Hannon
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:13 PM

    Ah yes, James Connelly, the lesser known Trade Union activist to his second cousin James Connolly! Often overlooked in some of the great historic debates and commemorations!!

    41
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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:15 PM

    A chara. You seem to get pleasure from attacking a person with a learning disability. That is a new low.

    8
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    Mute Mark Hannon
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:20 PM

    But Constance, I’m being serious! Why do you mock me!? James Connelly was just as hard-working an activist for trade unionism! How do you not know this!? My God man, read a history book!!

    31
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    Mute Constance Markievicz
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:27 PM

    I have read a history book. It was very good, and I enjoyed it.

    9
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    Mute Mark Hannon
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:37 PM

    Ah yes, the award winning ‘Ann & Barry – A History of Irish Trade Unionism’! A real page turner a chara! Couldn’t put it down myself! Cover to cover without stopping!

    22
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    Mute Zozzy Zozimus
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    Jun 13th 2014, 3:20 PM

    Your comments sink to the bottom of every article.

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 3:56 PM

    The thing hanging from your forhead

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    Mute Alan Whitney
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:11 PM

    An entertaining troll, all the same Kevin. I’m convinced that he/she needs help! The ridiculous repetition gives it away every time ;)

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    Mute Ava Emc
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:38 PM

    They are not traitors to the working class. I mean am getting fed up with working this and that. It is affecting middle class too. I know some who have lost jobs where the jobs have been replaced by jobbridge. Secondly, Sein Fein did the reverse of very hard cuts in NI. They eliminated the working class and got rid of them. They didn’t support them at all which they were suppose to in that election. That is something people need to think. They go back on their promises as most parties do.

    10
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    Mute Stephen Harney
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    Jun 13th 2014, 10:41 PM

    Yes, James Connolly was a hero to the underprivileged (1913 lockout) and to this state. He gave his life in 1916 for his belief in Ireland. Please don’t consider yourself an equal to this fine social republican, you don’t come close.

    2
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    Mute Live at Oriel
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:39 PM

    It’s a pity the leaders of the three teacher’s unions diden’t take as strong a stance on Haddington road.I can’t blame a younger teacher who is unemployed taking up the Jobbridge scheme.They want to get teaching experience.Personally I am opposed to the scheme as I see it as explotation.Bit sure teacher union leaders have allowed a huge disparity to grow between new entrants to the profession and existing teachers in relation to pay.Its only recently in the last 12 months they woke up to the issue .As far as Union leadership accroos the board goes in this country they have let workers down.Yet the leaders of the big unions are on big salaries.Where has the ICTU been..I still find it incredible that SIPTU the country’s biggest union remain affiliated. to the Labour party.This a party who have trampled on workers rights and conditions since they took power

    58
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    Mute Mary Griffin
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:17 PM

    Not so. They are trained and cannot get jobs. They want to work and why not let them. If they are enthusiastic is that not what we want for our children

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:23 PM

    They should be paid to do the job Mary. These are real jobs the government are using jobridge to get people to work for less than the minimum wage. It’s a disgrace.

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    Mute Mary Griffin
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:29 PM

    I agree it is a disgrace but the Dept. is not going to change the ratios. It is the only way some schools can keep a teacher that they are in danger of losing

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:40 PM

    I know someone that went out to Dubai to teach english. Flights, accommodation and food paid for and ontop she gets paid 12,000 AED tax free around €2400. They’re looking for people to teach english. She’s loving it. If I was a teacher I would give 2 fingers to jobridge. And head abroad.

    143
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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:41 PM

    No it’s not Mary, I think you bought the pup on that one.

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    Mute Rex Gardener
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    Jun 13th 2014, 4:04 PM

    I am shocked to find when i look up job bridge 8/10 of them require you to have a qualification ( applied for one which I was lucky to have) but havent heard back but still looking for job!

    Job bridge on how its run is a joke easy to exploit.

    51
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    Mute Rex Gardener
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    Jun 13th 2014, 4:01 PM

    More and more job bridge soon we will be a work-force charity case. Why hire guys for wages when you can get them for free!!!

    46
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    Mute P O' Neill
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    Jun 13th 2014, 4:07 PM

    €150 a week, €30 a day, €5 an hour. That is unjustifiable.

    43
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    Mute David Kelly
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    Jun 13th 2014, 10:07 PM

    I recently saw a Jobsbridge position looking for an Assistant Psychologist in Mountjoy Prison.

    €50 a day to work in a prison for a GRADUATE of a degree that requires 500+ Leaving Certificate points to attain a place in and a HELL of a lot of work to graduate from.

    Where is the justice? It’s a disgrace. I’m finished with this country and it’s shoddy systems and schemes.

    Come May 2015 I’ll be on a plane with my degree in hand and a smile on my face that I managed to escape this place.

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Jun 13th 2014, 11:09 PM

    €50 extra week I should say! Even worse again

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    Mute Paul
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    Jun 14th 2014, 12:23 PM

    You have the right idea David, yes this country is destroying itself with its own greed by exploiting talented people such as yourself, I’m gonna study for a degree and get the hell out of this pit.

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    Mute John Stafford
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:47 PM

    Obviously people here don’t read the mainstream media. Apparently job bridge is fantastic.

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    Mute Paul
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:01 PM

    Coming for someone who has been unemployed a lot more that he deserved. Jobs bridge looks a lot better than dong noting

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 11:42 PM

    Off ya go then

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    Mute Tom Spurs
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    Jun 13th 2014, 11:44 PM

    As the saying goes if you work for nothing you’ll never be out of a job.

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    Mute Frankie Mangan
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    Jun 22nd 2014, 10:36 AM

    Thats the spirit, work for nothing and you will never be idle…………Turkey.

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    Mute The Hound
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    Jun 14th 2014, 4:49 AM

    I’m a recent graduate myself and I find it very very difficult to get any sort of work. Job bridge schemes are just in full flight for positions that should be fully paid from the beginning. Over the past month I’ve had a job interview at a hospital laboratory, penneys, and fbd insurance. For the laboratory job they said they needed someone with more experience which I thought was ridiculous because it was an assistant job and I would have basically been a glorified cleaner and labeller of samples. With the other two jobs it’s as if they see I have a degree in an unrelated field to them and it’s a red flag because they are always on guard that I’d leave for a better job. Going on one of these job bridge schemes seems my only option and I don’t know how it’s going to work. I have no savings, both of my parents are unemployed and I cannot rely on them for financial support. I live in Mullingar so I’d have to commute or live away from home and the 150 I’d be getting on job bridge would not cover that cost at all. Then if by some miracle I got through it im not even guaranteed a job at the end. I am just saving whatever I can now and I am probably going to end up emigrating, it is truly sad what this country has become…. Sad

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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    Jun 13th 2014, 3:42 PM

    @constance – would you say its time for people to smash each others heads open and feed from the goo inside?

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    Mute P O' Neill
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    Jun 13th 2014, 4:04 PM

    Judging from your comments on here, it seems you’ve done that years ago.

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    Mute Janice Massala
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    Jun 26th 2014, 10:36 PM

    Hi Guys, I’m currently completing my Masters Dissertation Thesis on ‘The Impact of the JobBridge Initiative’. My aim is to find out if participants of the scheme secure employment or at least gain skills + experience which known make them more employable.

    The Duration of the Survey is approximately 5 mins.

    I am seeking for individuals that have undertaken the scheme or that are currently undertaking the scheme to participate in responding to this survey.
    If you know anyone that has participated with the JobBridge Scheme, I would highly appreciate it if you can forward the Survey Link.

    Many thanks,

    Janice Massala

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WHto-H_mtUCIZX99eAXNHNsn09k-EyhmgWeRoSw6pOQ/viewform?usp=send_form

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    Mute lizzy
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    Jun 15th 2014, 9:29 AM

    I need a holiday

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    Mute Ron North
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    Jun 13th 2014, 7:48 PM

    A little bit of wee came out when I read the learning disability line.

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    Mute Ron North
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    Jun 13th 2014, 7:48 PM

    A chara.

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