Presentation in Strasbourg Pathways towards Employment 12 Sept

Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Univers’ Emploi
12th September 2012
Pathways Towards Employment
An Irish Perspective
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OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Outline of the Presentation
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Background – The Irish Context
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Participation in Univers’ Emploi and determining what were the challenges for students
with disabilities
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Engagement with External Agencies to assist with Pathways to Employment.
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Mentoring Process
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Key Outcomes and Sustainability of Project
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Quotes from Participants
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BACKGROUND
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Background to the Irish Employment Context for Graduates with Disabilities
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Currently 15% unemployment in Ireland
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Highest rate of unemployment amongst 25 – 30 year age group
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Increase in numbers of students with disabilities in Higher Education, 6,932
students with disabilities participating in Higher Education in 2011/12
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Many challenges experienced by Graduates with Disabilities in Ireland as a result of
the current unemployment rate
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Participation in Univers’ Emploi
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Pathways towards Employment---- Irish Perspective
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TCD and UCC hosted one day Workshop- “Get Ready for Work” to ascertain the
employment challenges experienced by final year students with disabilities in
transitioning towards employment
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25 students participated across the two HEIs
Students outlined Key challenges as both workplace and personal . They were as
follows:
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Managing Disclosure and preparation for the Interview Process.
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Understanding work place culture and dynamic of the Work Environment.
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Managing disability in the workplace and organising accommodations
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Managing poor self esteem/ stress and anxiety in the workplace
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Engagement with External Agencies
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Pathways towards Employment
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TCD and UCC engaged with Employability Services and AHEAD to assist
Institutions to create Pathways to Employment for students with
disabilities.
Employability Services – Dublin and Cork– Who are they?
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Agencies that:
 Promote employment rights and independence for people with disabilities.
 Empower people with disabilities to find paid employment and develop
their career.
 Provide a recruitment advice and employment support service for the
Business Community.
 Promote mainstream access to the Irish labour market for graduates with
disabilities.
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Mentoring Process
Assisting Pathways to Employment
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Pathways towards Employment
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University Counsellors liaised with Employability Services so that students
were matched with Employment Mentors that would best compliment:
 Area of Study
 Area of Interest in Terms of Employment
 Student Background and Experience
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This is in keeping with the Student’s Transition Plan and the Nine Dimensions
of Assessment.
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It was considered imperative in the Irish context to correctly match the
student with their Employment Mentor.
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Monitoring of the Mentoring Process
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Monitoring of the Mentoring Process to create Pathways towards
Employment
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Employability Services and the Disability Services in TCD and UCC liaised
regularly with Employment Mentors to ensure that students were benefiting
from the mentoring process and that Pathways to Employment were being
created for participants.
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Working Groups held with Employment Mentors, Employability Services,
Disability Services and Students.
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Beneficial Outcome of the Project – Networks developed with Employment
Organisations and Employers that will sustain Pathways to Employment for
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students with disabilities in the future
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Evaluation of Project
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Key Benefits of Project
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Transition Plan: T.C.D. & U.C.C. consider that the inclusion of the
employment dimension into the needs assessment process to be of
considerable benefit to students with disabilities and this will be included
in all future assessments for students with disabilities.
Transition Process: As a result of participation in the Univers’ Emploi
Project, students have increased knowledge and skills, increased
confidence and self-esteem and a greater possibility of obtaining
employment was reported.
Disclosure: Participation in this project provided students with an
opportunity to consider the issue of disclosure and hopefully become more
confident about providing information to employers.
Learning Outcomes and Personal Development: As a result of their
participation in the project, students have become more positive about the
challenges faced in the transition to employment.
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Evaluation of Project
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Key Challenges of Project
Time Management:
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T.C.D. & U.C.C. is aware that time management for students is a major challenge for
this project. Students with disabilities participating in the project had significant
demands on their time and completing their studies successfully was of paramount
importance.
Understanding the Extent of Mentoring Needed to Enhance Employability Skills:
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It is evident from the evaluation of this project that students were unprepared for
the transition to employment. They required career coaching, goal clarification,
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training in terms of employability skills, confidence building etc
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Sustainability of the Project
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Learning Outcomes for both HEIs--TCD & UCC
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Both HEIs understand that the transition from education to employment
is a most daunting experience for students with physical and sensory
disabilities.
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The Irish Labour Market it is very competitive, thus, the disabled student
has a greater challenge to promote their abilities and competencies
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Early focus on employment, as part of needs assessment is critical to
nurture understanding of the competencies necessary for work place
success.
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In depth guidance / mentoring and career support – critical feature for
sustainability.
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Quotes from Student Participants
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Quotes from Students involved in the Project
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“I am hopeful that I will complete my degree successfully and make a
successful transition to employment. This project has been a really worthwhile
experience and I have learned a lot about the importance of good
communication skills and self presentation skills as part of the process.” (UCC
Participant)
“I found all stakeholders to be really supportive, particularly my Employment
Mentor. She has knowledge of disability issues and was able to advise me on
approaches to disclosure as well as the culture of the work environment.”
(UCC Participant)
“I have been given a lot of advice on job hunting, employability skills,
disclosure and supports. Now I need to go out into the world and put it into
practice!” (TCD Participant)
“It focused my mind. Transition planning can be easy to put off. It has given
me more job seeking tools and I have more avenues to pursue after
graduation.” (TCD Participant)
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Contact Details
Ce projet a été financé avec le soutien de la Commission européenne
Mary O Grady
Disability Support Officer & Head of Service
University College Cork
Phone: 021-4902985
E Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ucc.ie/dss
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