Job Rotation is a system that involves releasing workers for short periods of training and upskilling, with the positions thus created in production being taken by those out of work in order to gain job experience. Developed in Denmark in the 1980’s, Job Rotation can be used in a variety of ways to meet the training needs of companies, employees and the unemployed, without a break in production. It can be an entirely ‘in-house’ experience, with one set of employees replacing another set, while these undertake training or upskilling. Or it can be developed in a more targeted manner to address a much more comprehensive set of objectives. 

The concept of Job Rotation was implemented by the Northside Partnership in two pilot projects in Dublin - with Aer Rianta in 1998/1999 and through the EU EQUAL programme with two private sector employers in 2003 (Keelings Distribution Ltd. and the Freshways-Kerry Group). In the process of being piloted, the model of Job Rotation was extensively modified until a successful model for Irish conditions was developed.

In this model employees undertook training and were replaced during this time by unemployed people who in turn were specifically trained and educated in order to substitute for the employed workers.

Prior to the placement of the unemployed substitutes, the company was supported to project manage the initiative. Training and skills audits were carried out in conjunction with a Job Rotation Technical Support Team, a small group of experts with Job Rotation experience based in Northside Partnership. Prior to the Job Rotation cycle itself, a group of selected employees were trained as workplace mentors to support the unemployed on entry to the company.

The model of Job Rotation works not just as a lifelong learning tool but also as an active labour market intervention for greater social inclusion of groups excluded from the work force.