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’ sGreen 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 Leadership2. 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 programmeBy 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 23rd 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 StudiesGreen Leader – DeeDee 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 2T: 00 353 (0) 1 6625491F: 00 353 (0) 1 6625493E: [email protected]: www.ecounesco.ie ECO-UNESCO – Conserving the Environment; Empowering Young People