The FAI’s Project FUTSAL is a great way to for those who need to get valuable work skills, and play a bit of ball too.
The FAI, VEC and a selection of local councils have all teamed up to try and help young people get back into the workplace. The method they are using is an innovative one called Project FUTSAL.
A joint initiative with the Welsh FA, the idea is to use football to drive people into learning new skills and getting back into the workplace.
Seven locations around Ireland have been selected as ‘hubs’ and in those locations there will be ‘an education centre that will provide an academic year of adult education, personal development, football coach education and work/volunteer placements.’
Thirty people from the local communities will be offered places on the programme. The main goal, if you’ll pardon the pun, is to educate those who need extra training and to help them get into the workplace. The added incentive of the football element to the course makes it very attractive indeed.
Participants may be entitled to certain financial support while on the programme and interested people should check with their local social welfare office, job centre or VEC office to see if they are entitled to support through existing schemes.
The FAI’s Project Manager Derek O’Neill says that 65 per cent of those who have taken the course have found work while a further 20 per cent have gone on to do further education so it is already a proven success.
The seven locations are Ballymun, Corduff, Collinstown, Carlow, Clonmel, Wexford Town and Waterford and you can find out all the details on the Project FUTSAL website.
