Dublin jobseekers are now being offered the opportunity to up-skill for emerging environmental job opportunities through a free ‘Momentum’ initiative called Green Pathways II – Environmental Studies and Skills. The Momentum programme for 2014-2015 was launched by Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection and Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister for Education and Skills.

ECO-UNESCO, the country’s leading environmental educational and youth organisation, will deliver the ‘Green Pathways II- Environmental Studies and Skills’ programme which begins at the start of November at their Dublin city centre headquarters, ‘the Greenhouse’ in Dublin 2. The aim of this free programme is to progress participants who have been unemployed for more than one year, onto paid employment. This course is open to all ages but is specifically focused on the under 25’s.

All participants will receive professional environmental training, motivational training and a valuable work placement to help them get their ‘foot in the door’ to companies and organisations they may not otherwise have access to. With the green economy earmarked as an area for huge growth, the programme focuses on up-skilling people today, allowing them to be at the forefront of one of tomorrow’s leading sectors. Job-seekers interested in either developing a career in sustainable development/the environment upskilling as a gardener, horticulturist, ecologist or environmental consultant, people are bound to find this programme a huge advantage in progressing onto paid employment.

Commenting on the initiative, ECO-UNESCO’s National Director Elaine Nevin said, “Green Pathways II – Environmental Studies and Skills has been built on ECO-UNESCO’s successful ‘Green Pathways” programme that ran in 2013-2014. This new programme is built on our past experience and is an exciting and ambitious addition to our catalogue of educational initiatives. We’re looking forward to not only training people for this growing sector, but also to providing them with the confidence, cutting edge skills and work experience that will really put them ahead of the pack in potential employer’s eyes. Ireland has one of the highest rates of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment in Europe, but we also have a hugely ambitious and talented population. We want to give these people the chance they deserve and allow their strengths and ideas to flourish in a supportive, pro-active environment’.

Green Pathways II – Environmental Studies and Skills will begin in November 2014 and there will be other courses scheduled for 2015