Pilot Programme run by Speedpak Group & Northside Partnership to support International Protection Applicants integrate and prepare for work in Ireland
Earlier this week we held a presentation of certificate awards at Speedpak Group. This is something we’ve always done. As a learning and training #socialenterprise we place a big value on recognising all qualifications. Everyone’s journey is different and for some it can be their first qualification, certificate or indeed award ceremony. Tuesday’s event though, was different.
It acknowledged the conclusion of a pilot work experience and training programme which we co-produced with local development company Northside Partnership. As a local development company Northside Partnership has its ‘finger on the pulse’ of a wide range of local economic and social activity in Dublin’s Northside. When they brought to our attention that some 250 male #Asylum Seekers moved into a neighbouring community, we both saw this as a great opportunity to reach out and engage.
Following onsite visits to their accommodation (an adapted warehouse) we gauged interest in offering a voluntary work experience and training programme to those who either had or were awaiting a work permit. We held a number of open days in Speedpak Group at which some 50 people attended from which we selected 8 for this pilot. We learned a lot about peoples circumstances. Some were from war torn countries like Afghanistan who saw no future under Taliban rule. Some had come here because they couldn’t earn a living from holding down jobs with very long hours. Many had trades and some had professional qualifications. While many spoke two languages fluently, poor English language skills presented as a significant barrier for them in Ireland.
As Asylum Seekers receive a weekly payment of €37.50 from the State they are not allowed to receive additional funding, hence the voluntary attendance nature of this programme. The programme needed to be relatively short and practical and was designed to reflect this. It ran for 8 weeks for 16 hours per week. We provided a culturally appropriate lunch every day because in their accommodation there are set times for lunch which they would have otherwise missed. The programme consisted of formal training including English language skills, Manual Handling and Safe Pass blended with real commercial work experience. Both strands were offered onsite in Speedpak Group learning centre and in Speedpak Contract Services & e-Commerce Fulfilment enterprise.
We were very conscious too of the negative narrative being played out about Asylum Seekers by a vocal minority amplified by social media. In advance of the programme we briefed all our staff about why we were undertaking this initiative and why we felt it was important. While there were some concerns, we were able to address those presented. We also highlighted the pilot nature of the programme.
The other key objective, besides improving participants employability, was promoting integration and social inclusion. This was supported by our core staff and actually happened very quickly and naturally in our commercial production environment. We also mixed staff on our Community Employment work experience scheme with our voluntary participants in the group training.
And so this was a celebration of both #learning and #inclusion. Our experience of having these voluntary participants with us was hugely positive. They were polite, friendly, helpful, productive, interested in learning and had a very high attendance rate. Two participants even asked if they could volunteer to work with us for the two days the programme wasn’t on! When we asked why, they spoke of breaking out of the boredom in their ‘accommodation routine’ and also enjoying the work and social interaction. We heard too that a number of participants had recently secured their work permits and three of the group are now employed locally, which is great news.
This pilot was run on a limited budget and without specific programme funding. However direct training costs were covered by Northside Partnership which is funded through #SICAP grant funding Department of Rural and Community Development. Facilities and onsite support were provided by Speedpak Group which we can provide through a combination Government of Ireland Department of Rural and Community Development funding, philanthropy ( The Ireland Funds) and corporate (AbbVie) investment. While we are currently evaluating the pilot, we’re confident there is a strong case for doing more along these lines this year.
We know the next programme iteration will require deeper, more intensive supports in particular English language skills and occupational guidance. It’s our role now to secure the necessary investment for an initiative that has been tested and we know benefits individuals and our local community, both socially and economically.
