Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme

The Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme is targeted at unemployed 18-24 year olds who face significant barriers to gaining employment. The Scheme seeks to provide these participants with new skills, competencies and self-development that will enhance their capacity to pursue employment, work experience or further educational opportunities.

The Scheme encompasses a training programme of 10 weeks duration, consisting of 5 weeks of military orientated training interspersed with 5 weeks of educational orientated training. Participants are exposed to an environment which encourages personal development, achievement and hard work and, on successful completion of the programme, should be able to:

  1. Display social and team skills.
  2. Display other skills that increase their employability and prove their competence to prospective employers, leading to the likelihood of obtaining sustained employment or successfully entering further education for this purpose.
  3. Demonstrate an increased sense of self-confidence, self-discipline, self-motivation and self-worth
  4. Demonstrate an increased level of physical fitness, physical fitness education and motivation.
  5. Communicate more confidently with potential employers.

For further information please contact DFESS@welfare.ie