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After nine months training at a rate of €50 per week, you could be this guy. Tripp via Flickr
JobBridge

JobBridge companies want a pizza chef, a waiter and a personal assistant

As well as a butcher, a baker and, er, a picture framer…We take a look at some more of the “intern” positions being advertised through the Government’s National Internship Scheme.

FAST FOOD CHAIN Sbarro is looking for an intern and has advertised the position through the Government’s national internship scheme.

Over the next nine months, the winning candidate will learn how to make pizza dough, as well as how to prepare the other items needed to create a “world-famous” signature Sbarro pizza.

The JobBridge scheme has come under fire in recent weeks as employers are accused of exploiting the unemployed. A blog, JobBridge to Nowhere, has been started so disgruntled jobseekers can post some of the more questionable opportunities.

Since launching on September 7, the site features advertisements for social media specialists, a bakery assistant, breakfast chef, dog groomer, furniture remover and housekeeper.

Such interns receive €50 per week on top of their social welfare payments. The idea of the programme is allow those on the job market to enhance their skills so they are closer to securing employment.

As of September 2, 941 internship positions have been filled, at a cost of €47,050 a week to the taxpayer.

Last week, TheJournal.ie revealed the latest offering on the JobBridge website was a position for a beauty therapist to learn the art of vajazzling.

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that some job postings were removed from the site because they were not “in accordance” with the intent on the scheme.

The department says it is continuing to monitor the internships being posted to ensure they all meet certain criteria. For example, an intern should not be allowed to work unsupervised or displace a current staff member. The intern should also receive significant experiences through the whole internship, according to the department.

A “whistle blowing” feature has also been introduced which allows jobseekers to report any suspect internships.

Writing for TheJournal.ie yesterday, Aaron McKenna said there are some quality opportunities being offered on the website but they are being tainted by more unprincipled employers taking advantage.

We’ve taken a look at some of the internships that made the cut and are still on offer through the scheme:

JobBridge companies want a pizza chef, a waiter and a personal assistant
1 / 9
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    The Lansdowne Hotel lists "preparation of all food utensils" as one of the skills that its intern will learn over his/her nine month training period.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    Oh irony of ironies...a family resource centre in Kilkenny needs an "Unemployment Project Officer".
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    A sports equipment firm in Cork City is looking for a sales intern.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    Merck in Clonmel is willing to pay an intern €50 a week - as long as he or she is educated to PhD level.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    As an 'Order Picker' you will learn how to book in and pack goods inwards. Eh, ok. To qualify for this one you need to be able to carry goods weighing 20kgs.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    A garden centre in Castlebar is looking to train a Sales Assistant for nine months.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    This is just one of numerous postings looking for fully qualified solicitors to work as interns for €50 a week.
  • JobBridge "Internship"

    And that one from Sbarro...spend nine months learning how to make a fast food chain's "world famous" pizza.
  • One that didn't make it

    This job posting by PFM Ltd in Rathangan, Co. Kildare did not meet the criteria. The Department of Social Protection was unable to tell us why.

Read: Column: It’s a shame JobBridge is badly curated – there are some quality offers in there>

Your say: Poll: Is the government’s internship scheme worthwhile?>

More: Finally, an internship opportunity for vajazzling>

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