TCD’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability and IrishJobs.ie Host Business Breakfast to Promote Inclusive Recruitment Policies to Employers

Posted on: 14 November 2008

The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) at Trinity College Dublin in association with IrishJobs.ie   organised a business breakfast at the Science Gallery, on  Friday, November 14th  last aimed at promoting to employers the benefits of inclusive recruitment policies and the opportunities of getting involved with NIID’s work-life programme.

NIID’s Certificate in Contemporary Living (CCL) is a two-year TCD course, the first full-time course of its kind in the university sector in Ireland. The course aims to facilitate lifelong learning for students with intellectual disabilities and develop skills for independent living.

One of the main aims of the CCL programme is to assist the students in finding appropriate employment on completion of the certificate through the delivery of career development and work placement modules, including work experience placements in areas of the students’ choice according to their interests and skills.   

Students of the CCL course to date have secured work-placements in diverse areas such as retail, office work, catering, childcare and hotel work.   The first cohort of students from the course graduated last year and the majority of them have found part-time employment on a permanent basis while others have gone on to further education.

Pictured at TCD’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability and  IrishJobs.ie  Business Breakfast are Jack Shanahan, Denis O’Brien and Georgina Farrell.

Commenting on the significance of inclusive employment practices, businessman and supporter of the NIID, Denis O’Brien said: “All companies can benefit from inclusive employment practices.  This is not just about community and corporate responsibility, but also about creating positive work environments and motivated, productive teams.” 

Jane Lorigan, Managing Director of IrishJobs.ie said “Our experience of employing NIID students has been extremely positive. As we work with over 1,400 of the largest recruiters in Ireland, we are delighted to partner with NIID in spreading the word about the opportunities and benefits for companies.”

Dr Patricia O’Brien Director of NIID said: “While the network of employers engaging with the NIID is growing, we are keen to develop new links which will lead to increased opportunities for our students and graduates – now and in the future. This is particularly important in the context of our plans to roll the course out nationally so the same opportunities can be provided to people with intellectual disabilities throughout Ireland.”