About Us
Ballymun Job Centre: Planning for the Future
Introduction
The BJC was established in 1986 as a community response to a chronic unemployment situation. Over the year the BJC has adapted to the changes in the environment in order to respond more effectively to the need of the community. The BJC has a culture of innovation from Workmate to Tramlines to Choices. The BJC has developed and managed relationships with a range of organisations at a local, national and European level.
The BJC is now a valuable resource for the community of Ballymun and provides a central and pivotal role in the regeneration of Ballymun, in particular the economic and social development of the area. The BJC is a voluntary organisation with charitable status. It has a proven track record of sustainability. It has survived and grown as an organisation over the last twenty years and is now a central landmark in the community. The BJC is a relatively large employer in the area. A total of 33 staff are employed, over half are from the local area. Five of the current staff started on the JI.
The BJC started as a placement service only as this was the urgent need at the time. The placement service still remains core to the work of the BJC as the objective of employment remains the goal. As the experience, expertise and understanding increased it became clear that, given the low level of skills and education, placements into low paid/unskilled employment could not be seen as the only objective. It was necessary to assist clients to develop and to enhance their level of skills. Thus the BJC started to develop other services, such as mediation, career guidance service and training activity. The BJC added the goal to increase the labour market aspirations of individuals to the goal of a job. These are seen as inter-related objectives.
Over the years the BJC has developed and managed many different programmes and activities. These range from the management of mainstream labour market programmes and activities such as JI, Jobs Club, LESN, to more innovative programmes, the outcomes of which have influenced the design and delivery of labour market services/approaches, for example, Workmate, EU Project that assisted in defining our approach to mediation, Tramlines that demonstrated that it is possible for individuals with low levels of education/skills to access quality employment/career path. More recently the BJC has developed an assessment centre, CHOICES , specific for clients interested in accessing ICT training. The BJC is currently involved in a EU Leonardo Da Vinci Project, eGUIDE (2005-2007): Leonardo da Vinci 11,that is looking at quality systems in guidance. The BJC is lead partner in the EU Equal Project, called "Equal Youth" (2005-2007) this is looking at inter-agency working and practices in Ballymun and Mayo.
The various "EU Programmes", provides the BJC with the resources to be innovative and to test new ideas and ways of working in response to identified needs.
Over the years the BJC has built relationships and worked closely with a wide range of public, private and community organisations. The services provided by the BJC are made possible because of our partnerships with these organisations. The organisations include, FAS, DSFA, CDVEC, PACE, Health Services, Partnership, Drugs Task Force, BRL, BRYR, CTC, Youthreach, Leonadro Da Vinci Community Vocational Training Programme and the Equal Programme.
Importantly the BJC has developed relationships with over 500 employers in the greater Dublin area. The BJC has worked with employers in the development of training and has provided employers with workers.
Board of Management
Staff and Services
