An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | By LT RYAN VAN HAEFTEN, ESS PL COMDR PhoToS By CPL COLIN DELANY, 2 BDE HQ T he government's White Paper on Defence 2015 led to the establishment of the Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme (ESS) after detailed discussion involv- ing the Dept of Defence (DoD), the Defence Forces, the Dept of Social Protection (DSP), and the Dublin-Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). The objective of the scheme was to help develop a path to economic and social independence for disadvantaged young people aged 18–24. The ESS was designed to exert a positive influence on the participants, with the specific aim of equip- ping them with skills that will assist them in entering the workforce or pursuing further education, and thereby allowing them to participate more fully in society. Participation in the scheme involved a 10-week training programme consisting of just over five weeks of military- oriented training by the DF interspersed with slightly less than five weeks of education-oriented training by the DDLETB. The first two weeks of the programme were fully residential and the remaining eight weeks were residential from Monday to Friday only. Gormanston Camp was selected as the location to conduct the pilot scheme, primarily due to its proximity to the DSP's designated catchment area and the DDLETB's training centre in Baldoyle. The military instructors were drawn from across the DF. Initial planning at DFHQ level began in earnest in mid-2015 with preparations at ground level commencing in January 2016. A selection process was developed between the DF, DSP and DDLETB to ensure the most appropriate candidates received a place on the scheme. Applicants selected then underwent a selection process comprising interviews, Garda vetting, and security clearance, before receiving a place on the programme. OIC ESS, Comdt Curtis, was involved from January and the initial platoon commander, Lt Kenneally, from early April. For the majority of the instructional staff, however, preparations commenced on 30 May 2016 in Gormanston Camp, where 2 BTC co-ordinated a pre-orientation course for ESS instruc- tors. This featured a number of specialist external instructors, including a humanistic counsellor and psychotherapist from Youthreach and specially qualified DSP staff, to help prepare the instructors for the unique nature of the scheme. On Monday 20 June the programme commenced, with 26 participants reporting to Gormanston Camp. However, one person opted out of the programme due to personal circum- stances, leaving 25. The training syllabus for the ESS (TS 032/2016 'Skills for Life, Employment Support Scheme'), produced by J7, incorporated a number of certifiable skills include hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) training, manual handling, and first aid, and a number of marketable life skills including discipline, dress and deportment, confidence, teamwork, a sense of rou- tine, motivation, and many more. The group was structured as a platoon, with OIC ESS Comdt Curtis (27 Inf Bn); Military Supervisor Lt Kenneally (3 Inf Bn) and Lt Van Haeften (1 Inf Bn); Pl Sgt Reid (TIS Gormanston); section commanders and 2I/Cs Sgt O'Reilly (1 BAR), Sgt O'Raw (Mil Col), Sgt Halpenny (2 Bde HQ), Sgt Knowd (DFTC CIS Gp), Cpl Carville (27 Inf Bn), and Cpl O'Doherty (Air Corps Mil Trg and Survival Sch). Initially, the participants received an in-depth induction from the DF and Oiliúna (the training contractor acting on behalf of the DDLETB), were screened for underlying learning difficulties that might impact on their progress, and received detailed briefings on the ESS. During week one the participants achieved a manual handling certificate, a Solas/Safe Pass certificate and basic instruction in foot drill and personal administration. In order to prevent cabin fever and to mix up the training the participants undertook a number of tours over the course of the weekend, including visits to Newgrange, Glasnevin Cemetery, Croke Park and a 1916 Tour of Dublin City. Over the following weeks the participants continued work- ing hard with their DF instructors on foot drill, inspections, for Life

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