PHOTOS: Inspired Group Hosts ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ Event At Ballygarry

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Kay McCarthy Chairperson Inspired, Fiona McCarthy, Tina Enright – Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa, Siobhan O’Sullivan – Aspengrove Solutions at the ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ event at Ballygarry Estate on Friday.

THE Inspired group held their ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ event at Ballygarry Estate on Friday, September 23.

The event aimed to raise awareness among local employers in relation to the recruitment and retention of people with intellectual disabilities in the workplace.

Over 25 local employers were represented at the presentation, which showcased the range of supports available to them through the Inspired Inclusive Employment Programme.

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The event highlighted how employers across Kerry can access and recruit potential employees with a broad range of talents who are willing and able to work.

Presenter for the afternoon, Stephanie Dinham, the Career Transition Coordinator at Inspired, steered employers through the supported employment process and demonstrated how career transition training and hands-on job coaching were already showing promising results.

Jim Garvey Finance Director Supervalu said; “the presentation dealt with concerns of employers in a very honest way.”

Ciara Noble – Clippity Clop, Ciaran Sears – Scotia Farm, Orla Brosnan – Clippity Clop and Tom Sears – Scotia Farm at the ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ event at Ballygarry Estate on Friday.

Jacinta Walsh, Manager at Penney’s Tralee, said that the presentation “was a great success and we were delighted to be a part of it. It was wonderful to see how important work is to the Inspired participants”.

The event also focused on the need to create awareness and provided an understanding of how inclusive employment practices can benefit, companies, their staff, and the individuals involved.

Videos shown on the day were a testament to the fact that the Inclusive employment programme had already made a significant impact in its first-year post-covid, with over 18 local employers successfully engaging in the initiative.

Programme participants and employers provided insight into their experiences which gave other employers an opportunity to hear valuable feedback.

Rachel, whose role was MC for the event said; “I work at the Bons hospital, and it means a lot to me because I help out the patients, I love my job and I love sorting out the forms”.

Stephanie Dinham, Inspired Career Transition Coordinator with Marcus Motta, Manager Applegreen Listowel, at the ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ event at Ballygarry Estate on Friday.

“What work means to me,” said Lauren who works in Penneys’, “is being part of a team and I enjoy working with Belinda and Mandy and all the team in Penneys.”

Liz Maher, Manager of Inspired added; “today’s event showcased the importance of creating awareness around the benefits of hiring people with intellectual disabilities. There is a growing need for employers to recognise how inclusive practices can have a positive impact on their own employees while creating added value to their business”.

The event closed with a note from the Chairperson of Inspired, Kay McCarthy who thanked the sponsors, Dormant Accounts Fund for funding the Inclusive Employment Opportunities programme and Kerry ETB and Solas for funding the training event.

Kay also thanked employers, Inspired manager, staff, board of trustees and participants for coming together to celebrate their achievements to date.

Mark O’Shea, Mike Walsh and Eoin O’Sullivan of Adams of Tralee at the ‘Promoting Inclusive Employment’ event at Ballygarry Estate on Friday.

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