Community Employment Scheme

The Community Employment (CE) programme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged people to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs, based in Portlaoise and the wider Laois Area.

Participants can take up other part-time work during their placement. After the placement, participants are encouraged to seek permanent part-time and full-time jobs elsewhere based on the experience and new skills they have gained while in a Community Employment scheme.

Since 2013, a CE Childcare Programme is being implemented for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. This is a 3-year programme of formal learning and work experience leading to a NFQ Level 5 qualification in early childhood care and education. Places on the CE Childcare Programme are co-ordinated by a dedicated CE-sponsored childcare scheme in Laois partnership Company.

At present Laois Partnership have 31 Childcare Assistants working on the CE Scheme. There are also 14 Child Support workers, 2 Admin personnel and 2 Supervisors. The Community Employment programme is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

Image 1: Community Employment Scheme

Image 2: Children’s Art

Related Projects

    Translate »