Belmullet-based charity the Irish Association of Supported Employment will be running its fourth employment week in a fortnights time from Monday, April 22 to Sunday, April 28. Over the course of the week employment organisations, jobseekers and employers will showcase employment for people with disabilities through a variety of themed events, seminars and a national publicity campaign to raise awareness of employment for people with disabilities throughout the week.
One of the major keystones of the week is the job shadow day which will take place on Wednesday, April 24 when hundreds of individuals with disabilities throughout Ireland will be afforded a unique opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor as they go through their normal working day.
A number of these job shadows will be taking place throughout Mayo once again this year as they have in previous years. Last year Brian Doherty from Pullathomas, Belmullet took part in the scheme through Employability Mayo. Brian worked for the day with Fr Michael Nallen as a groundsman at the Parish office in Aughoose in Pullathomas. Brian went on to get seasonal work as a groundsman at the Parish office. Speaking about the scheme, Brian said. “It was a good and enjoyable experience” and “It gave me lots of confidence to be able to go out and do the job.” Another to take part in the scheme last year was Anne Marie Healy who took part for the first time last year and shadowed presenter Eunice Moran at CRC FM in Castlebar. Initiatives such as Job Shadow Day offer individuals with a disability a unique opportunity to get a close up look at the world of work, enabling them to discover and learn about the skills and education required to compete and succeed in the workplace. Many high profile individuals have already signed up to participate this year, including celebrity chef Neven Maguire, Michael Healy–Rae TD, Kilkenny Hurling manager Brian Cody, and Kerry footballer Colm Cooper. Further information on the initiative is available at www.iase.ie
