THE number of people signing on the Live Register in Tralee has dropped by 289 last month, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
It shows there were 3,916 people signing on in Tralee in September compared to 4,205 in August, almost a seven per cent drop, but the Tralee figure still accounts for nearly half of all people unemployed in Kerry.
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Countywide there are 8,058 signing on at the seven social welfare offices, a 15%, or 1,403, drop compared to September 2016.
Elsewhere, Killarney’s figure decreased 109 to 1,010, Listowel was down 161 to 1,651; Killorglin fell 46 to 590; Dingle decreased 27 to 371; Caherciveen fell 14 to 317 and Kenmare was down seven to 203.
The number of people signing on in Tralee over the past year…
.Shannon Holden Ward with her CV which she has given into businesses all over town.
AFTER putting out in the region of thirty CVs to businesses in town, a young Tralee woman is having no luck finding employment because she says everyone is looking for previous experience.
On Friday, an exasperated Shannon Holden Ward from Gallowsfield posted on the ‘Tralee Do You Know’ Facebook page to see could she make any inroads to the job market online.
The post, expressing her frustration, got a huge response and drew the attention of Radio Kerry ‘Talkabout’ presenter Deirdre Walsh who had Shannon on the show and this drew a massive reaction from listeners.
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Shannon says she has covered the town with her CVs, calling into pubs, hotels and retail businesses in her quest to find work but to no avail as previous experience is the criteria for any job.
The former student at Presentation Secondary School finished up last year and enrolled in IT Tralee doing a social care course, but felt it wasn’t for her. She now has her sights firmly set on employment but the 18-year-old is finding the going difficult.
“How am I my supposed to get experience if there is no place willing to take me on?” said Shannon. “My friends are kind of in the same situation, but most of them are in college so they are just looking for summer jobs. But it’s the same with them, they are handing out CVs and getting nowhere. I would prefer to work as a waitress, or in retail, anything really,” she said.
Shannon wants to remain at home where she lives with her parents Marina and Thomas. “I’m a bit of home bird so I’ve not thought of moving, it’s tormenting,” she said.
Since appearing on Talkabout, Shannon was approached by a local charity shop and she is waiting on one other to get back to her about coming on board and gaining experience. Many charity shops encourage people to volunteer in store with them as it helps young people gain experience in retail and dealing with customers.
Launching Austin Stacks new employment initiative ‘Jobmatch’ were, from left: Catherine Ryan, William Kirby, Patrick O’Sullivan (Chairman Kerry GAA County Board), Liam Lynch and Billy Ryle. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
LAST year, Austin Stacks benefited greatly from an initiative to find employment for players who were struggling to get work in town.
Now the ‘Jobmatch’ scheme has been officially launched.
Austin Stacks manager, Stephen Stack, even has gone as far as saying that keeping six of his players from going to work in America for the summer last year was the biggest single factor in their success which saw them end the year as Munster champions.
The club is now building on this in a more structured way, by developing the ‘JobMatch’ initiative that will link employers who have vacancies and players and members who are on the hunt for work.
When ‘JobMatch’ was introduced to the public – at the famous Austin Stacks fundraising dinner where Joe Brolly made an appearance – 50 businesses signed up to the initiative and there have been many more since.
“What opened our eyes, after we got jobs for six players last year, was the fact there was a tremendous willingness from GAA people as a whole and Austin Stacks businesses, to help their players,” said Austin Stacks vice chairman, Liam Lynch.
As part of ‘JobMatch’, a club committee has been established formed of people who have specific skills in their career area. The group will work with club players and members, helping them with CV’s and interview preparation etc.
Austin Stacks are asking employers who sign up to the initiative to do the following; commit to inform the employment committee when a vacancy becomes available and agreeing to interview the candidate the club puts forward.
“Hopefully we can match the needs of our members and our own playing members. The take up in the last two or three weeks has been very strong. We are hopeful this is something that will take off and keep going. The initial signs at the moment are very positive,” said Liam Lynch.
Staff at Kerry Citizens Information Services; Frances Clifford (Mgr), Susan Deery (Killarney), Aine Brosnan (Tralee), Nora O’Connor (Killorglin), Tina Curtin (Killarney), Jane Kingerlee (Kenmare), Kirstie Nowak (Tralee), Mary Grandfield (Caherciveen).
THE Kerry Citizens Information Service (KCIS) recently received the EFQM Gold Star Service Excellence Quality Mark having reached the quality standards of customer service excellence required.
The service underwent a rigorous in-depth assessment to measure their performance against the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) principles.
On receipt of the award Jacqui Browne, Chair of Kerry CIS said: “The Gold Star Service Excellence Award focuses on the impact of service delivery on customers. It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of all concerned in Kerry Citizens Information to have achieved this award”.
Last year Kerry CIS responded to 26,612 queries from 19,042 callers.
The Citizens Information Service provides an Information, Advice and Advocacy service to members of the public who have queries in relation to their rights and entitlements.
They cover a broad range of topic areas including social welfare, housing, consumer issues, employment, education, health, local services and many more. The service is free, independent, and confidential. The difficult economic climate means that more people than ever are availing of the service.
At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: Cathal Heaslip, Cathy Shine and Kevin O’Connor.
THE ITT North Campus, hosted their Careers Fair for graduate students on Tuesday.
The fair brought a number of national and international businesses and universities there to scout some of the top talent in the college.
“There’s definitely a big upturn in terms of jobs available, which is very positive, so we’re delighted with the turnout and with the numbers of students and graduates here today that expressed an interest in securing local jobs,” said Louise Nagle, ITT Careers Officer.
The main sector represented was IT, with major companies, JRI America, Fexco and Dairymaster in attendance to speak with graduates.
“Nursing agencies have also turned out in force. One of the agencies explained that there is nearly 400 nursing jobs available in Ireland as of today,” said Louise.
“There’s a wide variety companies here giving students the opportunity to work abroad for a limited period of time. There’s also a number of universities here that are looking at teacher training in the UK,” she said.
“The day is aimed at graduates, but also other students who are encouraged to come along and have a look to see can they identify something they maybe interested in doing when they eventually graduate,” said Louise.
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At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: Sarah McFeely, Robert Browne, Helena Brosnan and Fiona Dineen. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ on in the ITT North Campus were, from left: Nicky Coates, David O’Connor and Noreen Ward. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left Jane Fitzpatrick, Mia Donovan, Maura Buckley, Katriona Neville and Amanda Coughlan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: Jack Hanchion, Anne O’Leary and Ivana Dinov. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: David Fleming, Padraig Hearty, Dara O’Carroll: Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: Alice Stephenson, Brian O’Regan and Aisling Coffey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘ITT Careers Fair’ in the ITT North Campus were, from left: David Scully, Nazrul Islam and Ed Puotkalis. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE number of people signing on the Live Register in Tralee has dropped by 289 last month, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
