Businesses urged to support employment week

THE Irish Association for Supported Employment (IASE) is calling on businesses across Dublin to support the seventh annual National Supported Employment Week, that takes place from Monday 7 to Sunday, April 13.

Job Shadow Day (Wednesday, April 9) will be the high point of the week when hundreds of people with disabilities take the opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor as he or she goes about their normal working day.

Last year, over 460 individuals with a disability shadowed at 439 employment sites in Ireland, with 27 securing a permanent job placement as a direct result.

Following on from its success in Ireland, National Supported Employment Week is set to rollout in Europe, with 12 countries already committed to take part in 2015.

Many high profile individuals participated in Job Shadow Day last year including Minister Joan Burton and Today FM presenter Ray D’Arcy.

Commenting on her experience of the Job Shadow initiative, Minister Burton said:

“I have participated in the IASE’s Job Shadow Day since 2011 and I worked with Austin in 2011, James in 2012 and with Aidan last year,

? she said.

“It’s been a privilege for me to be a part of such a worthwhile initiative.

“The experience has emphasised for me the excellent work of the IASE, whose core belief is that people with disabilities including those with significant disabilities should have an equal opportunity to have a job.

?

She added:

“I share that belief and I would encourage employers with a suitable vacancy to hire a person with a disability, which will enable that person to participate more fully in the labour market and in society.

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Greg Barry, the chairman of the IASE said that almost 3,000 Job Shadowing placements have taken place since the initiative commenced in 2008, resulting in 86 job placements.

“It has proved an extremely positive campaign in raising awareness among the business sector and the general public on an aspect of their community about which many were relatively uninformed,

? he said.

“Job Shadow highlights the potential contribution of people with disabilities to economic activity. This assists in the process of opening doors, removing barriers, changing attitudes, perceptions, and promoting inclusion.

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Employers and job seekers interested in participating in Job Shadow Day 2014 are invited to register their interest at www.iase.ie.