Over 40 per cent of those taking part in the Community Employment (CE) programme are finding jobs. The programme, which is run by FAS, provides over 50,000 people a year with placements in the "social economy". Its aim is to reintegrate the long-term unemployed into the workforce.
The last survey of CE participants was in 1994. It showed that 34 per cent were finding jobs and another 33 per cent were moving on to further education.
The latest returns have not been finalised, but the figures up to this month show that at least 41 per cent have found jobs this year and the final returns could show a significantly higher increase.
With about a third of participants still undertaking further education, this means that only a quarter of CE participants are returning to the dole. Under the Social Employment Scheme which preceded CE, only 12.5 per cent of participants found jobs.
In the past seven years CE has gradually become more focused on providing effective training for the long-term unemployed. Most of this training takes place through projects sponsored by the voluntary and community sector, although local authorities, health boards and other statutory agencies also sponsor schemes.
One significant change since 1994 is that the average size of schemes has increased from eight participants to about 14. Larger schemes are eligible for the appointment of supervisors. This has been shown to improve the training levels and job prospects of participants.
Criteria applied to sponsors and applicants have also been tightened.
Latest returns show that 98 per cent of CE participants are receiving some form of social welfare, with 71 per cent on the Live Register and 22 per cent on lone parents' allowance. The gender balance has also improved, with 47 per cent of participants now female.
There are 40,000 people on CE schemes at any given time and over 50,000 pass through the system each year. Ten thousand places are reserved on "Work Option" schemes for the long-term unemployed and workers aged 35 or over.