The best of JobBridge: From scientists to restaurant workers

A microbiology scientist, a dental laboratory technician, and a restaurant supervisor for a "very busy" 120-seater establishment are just some of the current adverts offering posts through the JobBridge internship scheme.

The scheme has come in for much criticism since its inception, including from Fianna Fáil spokesman on education and skills Charlie McConalogue.

Mr McConalogue said: “While I support getting people back to work, it should not be at the expense of paying legitimate wages to qualified people who are available to fill these positions.”

Among the current adverts on the scheme’s website is one for one for a “microbiology scientist” at a research laboratory in Co Westmeath.

The work would involve a 39-hour week for nine months with “an allowance” of €50 per week in addition to social welfare payments.

“The intern will gain practical experience in routine microbiology laboratory analysis for a range of pharma customers,” said the advert.

“The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following: micro laboratory testing, method validations, [and] generation and reporting of results. On completion the intern will have attained skills in all aspects of microbiology testing in a contract laboratory.”

Degree

The intern is also required to hold either a bachelor of science or master’s degree in microbiology, applied biology, or a related discipline.

Another advert, for a “restaurant supervisor” at a cafe in Co Laois, involves a 38-hour week for nine months, and comes with “an allowance” of €50 per week in addition to social welfare payments.

“The intern will gain practical experience in supervising a very busy 120-seater restaurant,” said the advert.

“The intern will receive informal training in the following: staff rostering, ordering stock, cost control, food production, health and safety procedures in the workplace and HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) etc.

“On completion, the intern will have attained skills in the complete running of a restaurant and customer care service to a high standard.”

Another advert was for a “CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) monolithic dental laboratory technician” at a dental suppliers company in Bluebell, Dublin.

Allowance

That post would involve a 37-hour working week for nine months, and comes with “an allowance” of €50 per week in addition to social welfare.

“The intern will gain practical experience in Digital Dentistry Laboratory work flow [and] thorough knowledge of new digital developments in laboratory techniques,” said the advert.

“On completion the intern will have attained skills in: modern dental laboratory techniques using innovative digital CAD/CAM workflow from oral scanning to digitalised zirconia milling.”

A completed Dental Technicians Degree is required.