A new tool is hoping to make it easier for young jobseekers to find employment.
Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has launched the 'Compass' search tool.
It is powered by hundreds of information factsheets and employment support service listings, created by youth information website SpunOut.ie.
It says 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 hub also provides practical advice to support jobseekers in developing cover letters, CVs, and to prepare young jobseekers for interviews with employers.
The new tool also asks young people to filter their employment information needs based on a number of factors - such as employment status, location, educational attainment level, age, and barriers to employment.
Such barriers listed on the website include: "I have a disability", "I have a conviction", and "I am a non-EU citizen".
Image: SpunOut
From there, the site gives the user a number of options, support and tips.
Compass is to be promoted through Spotify, YouTube, Google, Facebook and in cinemas nationwide from Friday December 9th.
Speaking about the launch, 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 online, 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 added: "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%."
"The Compass tool is actually completely anonymised so any information you give us will all be things like your employment status, your location, your general age and your barriers to employment you might be experiencing.
"So you're not going to be giving us your name, or your date of birth or any other information like that".
It comes as the latest figures show youth unemployment remains relatively high - at double the national rate.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for persons aged 15-24 year was 15.5% in November 2016.
However this is still a decrease from October, when it stood at 16.4%.
