GREEN PATHWAYS PROGRAMME ECO-UNESCO

Irelands environmental education and youth organisation - Est. in 1986 Specialise in environmental education and and environmental youth work Affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) FETAC accredited provider since 2005 – developed first FETAC course in Sustainable Development in Ireland About ECO-UNESCO

What do we do? Run a wide range of youth programmes and education initiatives. We are a youth organisation. We are a also a specialist provider of training programmes and courses aimed at those under 25. Deliver both accredited and non-accredited training programmes.

The Scale of our Work Over 10,000 people directly participate annually National / YEA all-Ireland programme A team of 10 full time staff 3 TUS community workers 1 x FAS WPP 1 x Jobbridge 4 Interns

ECO-UNESCO’ s Green Pathways Programme Free education and training projects to allow 6,500 jobseekers (who are unemployed for 12 months or more) to gain skills and to access work opportunities in identified growing sectors

What is the Green Pathways Programme?  ECO-UNESCO’s Green Pathways programme is designed To ensure that we avoid the creation of lost generations of young people. To help people who are disadvantaged, due to long-term unemployment, get back to work. For Young people in particular as they are very susceptible to the damaging, scarring effects of unemployment To provide a solid foundation for them to gain employment and/or continue in further education and training that will progress them into employment.

Aims  ECO-UNESCO’s Green Pathways is aimed at increasing the career prospects of unemployed young people (aged 25 and under)  Participants gain: employability training, specialist accredited training modules project support and work placements  They have three ‘pathways’ to choose from: 1. Green Leadership 2. Green Enterprise 3. Green Youth and Community  To enable them to make a professional contribution to the local and national labour market and to prepare them for life-long learning

Background to the programme  ECO-UNESCO works in the area of youth development and environmental awareness  Mixing our youth work and our specialist knowledge and training expertise for opportunities in the Green Economy  Green economy has been highlighted by government action plan for jobs as a key area for development

Who is Green Pathways aimed at? Young people (aged 25 and under) Unemployed and on the live register for more than 1 year Participants must be committed to completing the programme  gaining accreditation  progressing to employment and/or further or higher education

The Pathways  Green Leader –aimed at those have a interest in environment, education, training, leadership. This will increase professional development of young people  Green Enterprise – aimed at those that want to set up a business or work in business. Participants develop business skills through training and the development of a business plan  Green Youth/Community – aimed at those who want to work in the youth and community sector. Up-skill in youth peer education No specific entry levels are stipulated but participants require baseline literacy and elementary computer skills

What does the Programme Involve?

Outcomes of programme By the end of this programme, participants will have:  Undertaken a package of relevant certified training and work placement  Developed a portfolio of transferrable job skills  Been introduced to the range, nature and expectations of the workplace  Been supported through the challenges of job-search and linked to employment opportunities  Progressed onto work or further education

Prospects for the Green economy The green economy is an emerging job space which is opening up employment opportunities in a wide range of areas including energy efficiency, corporate social responsibility, green enterprise and sustainable development. The Government Action Plan for Jobs 2012 highlights the green economy as a key area for growth and investment.

What are the progression opportunities?  We have linked up with DIT (MSc Local Development and Innovation and the MSc in Sustainable Development)  We have also linked up with various potential work placement opportunities including, the EPA, City Composting, IKEA, and Sunflower Recycling  In addition, participants will organise a market place event inviting potential employers to showcase their work from the course. This will be a valuable experience in event management and in networking

Key Information  18-20hrs per week  27 weeks 9 weeks of training and education 18 weeks work placement  Support throughout programme 1 to 1 mentoring sessions Group assignment support every week Computer and study facilities

What have the outcomes been to date?  Green Pathways 1 – 28 participants have currently come through intensive training phase (9 weeks) – they are currently on work placement  Green Pathways 2 – started 23 rd May – 26 participants currently attending training phase

What participants say…  Green Pathways has helped me by refreshing my business skills and updating my CV. My experience so far has been great; I have learned a lot and have met loads of new people. Amy Corr, Green Pathways Student  Green Pathways has helped me to be a better communicator. I have also learned a lot about the environment and I enjoy the group activities. Rachel Maguire, Green Pathways Student

What participants say…  I have grown more confident in myself and my abilities. Working in groups of different sizes and with different people has increased my communication and assertiveness skills. I have also gained invaluable business knowledge, which I am putting into practice and expanding upon in my work placement. Kate Turner, Green Pathways Student  It’s great. The people and peers are lovely people to work with. It’s a comfortable environment to learn new things. The quality of work is to the best of the best. Green Pathways has given me the confidence to believe myself and motivate others. it’s shown me that not only I am capable but proud to be me to my full potential. James Core

Case Studies Green Leader – Dee Dee has a MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation and a Hons BAgSc in Agri- Environmental Science  Dee wants to work in the biodiversity area and she needs specific work experience, particularly in lab work.  CV work was valuable to Dee and her 19 weeks work experience is in the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Green Business – John  John left school after Junior Certificate  He has a FETAC level 5 in Sustainable Construction Technology but he had no previous work experience  John is taking the green enterprise pathway  Through ECO-UNESCO connections he was given the opportunity to interview with a green construction company. He was delighted when he got the placement including extra paid work Case Studies

Youth and Community – Lynn  Previous experience included FETAC level 3 in childcare  By the end of the programme Lynn will have gained 3 FETAC level 5 modules through the Youth and Community pathway  CV work was valuable and the 19 weeks work experience is currently underway in a crèche. They plan to offer her employment at the end of the placement Case Studies

What have the challenges been? For ECO-UNESCO:  It can be difficult to recruit long term unemployed to engage in a programme  The long term unemployed have very specific needs. Many have limited experience of education, training or employment  A lot of additional support is needed for the group. This means additional resourcing from a staff perspective.  There is a comprehensive support programme in place in green pathways which has helped retention  Many of the participants have low self-esteem. Getting them past this involves an approach centred on the needs of the individual

What have the challenges been? For the participants:  Many had not been in education for a while and had negative experiences from school  Lack of confidence in their abilities  Lack of access to basic computer facilities at home  Peer pressure  A wide range of personal issues such as mental health, substance abuse, a criminal past, and homelessness

Green Pathways Class

Group Work

Green Pathways Site Visit to Urban Farm

What are the opportunities?  Integrated programme – providing accredited trainings; work placement; support programme  As a youth organisation we understand the needs of young people  A 6 month programme allows for both training and meaningful work experience  The comprehensive support programme has been very important to the participants both personally and professionally

What are the opportunities?  Green Pathways foundation programme (FETAC Level 3)  Participants are forming positive new friendships  Improving their communication skills  Provides opportunities for a specialist approach i.e. with a special focus on ‘green’ – and can help access opportunities in the green economy

For further information please contact ECO-UNESCO 'the greenhouse' 17 St., Andrew St., Dublin 2 T: (0) F: (0) E: W: ECO-UNESCO – Conserving the Environment; Empowering Young People