Third group of OWL trainees graduate from Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme

The Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme specifically tailored towards young adults with an intellectual disability. The Programme was first launched by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD in September 2018 as a pilot programme with two sponsor organisations, WALK and KARE, and was facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service who provided a workplace in which these adults can learn and develop their skills to be “work ready”. The Houses of the Oireachtas is the first Parliament in the world to host a programme of its kind.

The outcome of the programme is to support OWL graduates to find meaningful and viable part-time permanent employment in the wider Civil and Public Service through the OWL Graduate Programme. 60% of programme graduates from the first two programmes are employed across seven Government departments and offices, 20% are employed in the private sector while 20% are engaged in further education and training. The programme partners are working with a number of new Departments to expand the graduate element of the programme. Plans are underway to commence the next training programme in September 2023.

During their time on the programme, the ten current trainees (now graduates) were placed across different offices in Leinster House and in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media where they gained valuable work experience in multiple areas.

Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD said:

“One of our goals in the Houses of the Oireachtas is to promote accessibility.

Inclusive work programmes and opportunities such as the OWL Programme are vital if we are to harness the talent of people from all sections of society and we have all seen how a diverse workplace benefits us all.

I am delighted to say that from the outset the programme has been reaching key milestones/achievements. All of these outcomes would not be possible without the contribution, commitment and support of all involved.

The programme is a real example of collaboration across the Civil and Public Service, and this was recognised when the programme recently picked up the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation award in the category of workplace and organisation of the future.”

The Ceann Comhairle congratulated the graduates on their achievements throughout the programme and said:

“Your enthusiasm, resilience and commitment to learn and grow has contributed to the overall success of the programme, you have added real value to each section and team you were placed with and our learning from you has contributed to the overall sustainability of the programme.”     

The ten trainees graduating commenced the OWL programme in September 2022.

WALK, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Kelly and KARE Operations Manager, Peter Furlong said:

“Programmes like OWL and organisations like the Oireachtas demonstrate what can be achieved and the change that is possible when we open our hearts and minds and truly invest in a workplace that is equal and accessible for all.

The graduates over the last number of years have taught us that the quality of life experienced in a work environment is enhanced when we embrace diversity, and we allow space for different worldviews, opinions, experiences, and moments of happiness.

While the OWL programme wedged the door to supported employment open, indeed it is the graduates here today and the many graduates that went before them, that marched in, demonstrated their amazing talents and abilities, and knocked that door clean off its hinges.”

They also thanked the graduates and their families for putting themselves forward and proving again that whatever obstacle is put in their way people with an Intellectual Disability are just as resilient as anyone else.

The programme trainees graduating today are Amy Landers, Barry Higgins, Fionán Malone, Jordan Caffrey, Kirby Hogan, Laura Dempsey, Liam Cronin, Mark Buckley, Stephen O'Connell and Thomas Gartlan.

The graduates were each invited to attend today’s graduation ceremony, with their families to recognise their achievement and learning journeys. Each of the graduates present received a certificate from the Ceann Comhairle to mark their achievement.

The programme maximises the opportunity for the trainees to experience several areas of work learning in units in the Oireachtas Service and the other training placement sites and to undertake formalised training through the Dublin City Education and Training Board for the purpose of achieving a Level 3 Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI) qualification.

Two full time, on site co-ordinators support the trainees in their roles and work towards QQI  qualifications, while the Houses of the Oireachtas provide a permanent training room.

Note to editors:

KARE and WALK, are two voluntary bodies that provide services and supports to adults with an intellectual disability. KARE was started in 1967 by parents and friends of children with an intellectual disability. KARE works with each individual who uses their service, and their families, to support them in developing their skills and abilities so that they can live the life of their choice. KARE supports individuals in all aspects of their daily lives including lifelong learning, living options, work and careers. KARE operates a Supported Employment Programme supporting people with intellectual disabilities to gain and maintain the job of their choice in the open labour market.

WALK’s mission is to be leaders in a movement for change, empowering people with disabilities to live self-determined lives in an equal and inclusive society. WALK has developed and piloted different innovative supported employment programmes aimed at increasing the rate of employment for people with intellectual disabilities.

The purpose of the OWL programme is to assist 10 trainees annually to become work ready through a “hands on” learning and development programme. As this is a work learning programme, a multi-faceted approach to the learning process for the trainee is taken. The trainees engage with a wide range of learning interventions, attending weekly formalised learning sessions with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB), while informal training including mentoring and coaching is carried out daily by the unit/ sections providing the work experience placements.

Two onsite coordinators provided by WALK and KARE and funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), assist the trainees on a full-time basis throughout the programme and engage in securing employment for them.

The programme generally takes place between September and June each year with each trainee completing three work experience placements (10-12 weeks each) in various units in the Oireachtas Service and other placement Departments including Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, along with the education programme delivered by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board. This allows the trainees to sample different work types to help them decide the work they enjoy doing and would like to have a career in.

Upon completion of the learning programme, the trainees attend a graduation event to recognise their achievement and learning journeys.

As a learning programme, the OWL programme lends itself to a wide range of benefits, for the Houses of the Oireachtas, the other placement Departments and the trainees while promoting a more integrated and diverse working environment. The National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Government have committed to increasing, from 3% to 6%, the number of staff with a disability in all government departments by the end of 2024 and the Houses of the Oireachtas Service and Commission also recognise the benefits of increasing diversity in the workplace. Under the Oireachtas Dignity and Respect Statement of Principles and Employment Equality Acts, the Service is committed to providing equal opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities, to help them engage in the workforce and to provide a work environment conducive to ongoing learning and development opportunities.

The programme continues to expand and develop through working in partnership with other public sector bodies including the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform and the Public Appointments Service supporting the development of the Graduate Programme, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as training programme placement sites and the Employing Departments in the Graduate Programme which include the Public Appointments Service, Office of Government Procurement, Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Department of Social Protection, National Shared Services Office and the Houses of the Oireachtas Service. We are continuing to work with other Public Sector organisations who also are interested in participating in the programme.