Tús performing well in Carlow Town, but some rural areas lagging behind

“Tús gave me the opportunity and confidence to change career paths” said Stuart Wilson, former Tús participant who was unemployed for some time when he was contacted by Carlow County Development Partnership about interviewing for a place on the scheme.  He added “I was on social welfare and couldn’t get any permanent employment as a labourer. Stuart expressed an interest in changing career direction and began his Tús placement with BEAM Services Bagenalstown shadowing a Programme Facilitator before taking programmes himself. “At first, I was a bit nervous but once I got into it I loved it. The training was great, especially the lifestyle skills training.”

Stuart believes the time he spent working with Tús has changed his mindset. “It gave me a new lease of life! I am now employed and work with a member every weekend under Community Inclusion.  As a result of initially participating with Tús, I am now planning to study Social Care and further my career.”

Carlow County Development Partnership CLG manages Tús in Carlow since inception. Tús provides quality short-term work opportunities for people who are unemployed, while at the same time carrying out a broad range of services of benefit to the community and in a variety of community settings. The supportive team of Tús supervisors recognise each individual’s potential, listen to their aspirations and ambitions and carefully match unemployed people to community work placements in accordance with their career preferences. A particular emphasis is placed on up-skilling unemployed people in accordance with employer needs.

Tús is a key initiative under the Labour Market Activation Strategy for Carlow County Development Partnership CLG. Accessing the Tús programme also gives individuals a pathway to access other supports at Carlow County Development Partnership.

Out of a total of 140 places, 126 are already allocated with 60% of these taken up in Carlow Town.  Michelle Byrne, Tús Supervisor said “Its great, really great to work with Stuart and other individuals and hear about their successes. We know that there are many others who would benefit from Tús and we want to encourage them to come forward.  There remains a strong take up of Tús in Carlow Town, Bagenalstown and Tullow, however there is a low take up in the more rural areas and we are focusing on these areas for the remainder of this year”.

Carlow County Development Partnership CLG has the following vacancies on their books. Unemployed persons interested in any of these vacancies can self-refer for Tús can by contacting Michelle on 059 9720733 or mbyrne@carlowdeveloplment.ie