Minister Leo Varadkar T.D. launches ‘Compass’, a new employment information tool from SpunOut.ie

Compass will provide tailored information to young people seeking new learning or work opportunities

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Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar T.D. launched ‘Compass’ an innovative new tool to point young jobseekers in the direction of new learning and work opportunities today.

The search tool is powered by hundreds of information factsheets and employment support service listings on SpunOut.ie.

‘Compass’ will serve as a one-stop-shop for young people seeking information about education and employment including current opportunities, how to apply for social welfare supports, applying for jobs, available training and education schemes, workplace rights and new business grants for young entrepreneurs.

SpunOut.ie was commissioned to develop the tool and information hub by the Community Foundation for Ireland’s youth committee and youth participation panel.

The plain English information hub also provides practical advice to support jobseekers in developing creative cover letters, comprehensive CVs, and to prepare young jobseekers for interviews with prospective employers.

The new tool will ask young people to filter their employment information needs based on a number of factors including their employment status, location, educational attainment level, age, and barriers to employment.

Once a young person has expressed their information needs, a results page of recommended content will be served to the reader including information on opportunities, local employment support services in their area, general advice and tips (CV, cover letter, interview), education supports, and information on overcoming self-identified barriers to employment. This person-centred, holistic approach is crucial to the successful provision of youth information online.

Compass will also explain ‘what to expect’ from statutory services through commissioned multimedia content and will guide users how to complete common entitlement forms using visually annotated forms.

Speaking about the launch of Compass, Minister Varadkar said:

“Compass is a fantastic project and I think it will prove really useful for young people trying to negotiate the world of work. Its one-stop shop model follows international best practice, and brings together services and supports. It’s on-line, and it’s innovative, because it tailors information and advice to the individual. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning, and that the hub will expand and grow.”

SpunOut.ie Executive Director Ian Power said:

“This is a really exciting project for us because employment has always been the number one topic searched for by young people on our platform. The support from the Community Foundation for Ireland in developing ‘Compass’ has meant we have been able to transform how we help young people find information they need quickly. Their support has also enabled us to increase the amount of education and employment content on SpunOut.ie by over 150%.”

Hazel Hill from the Community Foundation for Ireland said:

“We are delighted to have commissioned SpunOut.ie to deliver this innovative tool that is focused on the individual needs of young people looking for new opportunities. Our youth participation panel identified the need for a one-stop-shop for employment related content and our decision to partner with SpunOut.ie was based on their established youth audience, particularly for content of this nature.”

Compass – information to point you in the right direction.

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