Stories of Change – Speedpak Group

Michael’s Story of Change

Michael, from Dublin’s Northside, struggled to find work for three years due to a criminal conviction. Speedpak Group gave him a chance to re-enter the workforce through its work experience and training programme. From day one, he was back working in a real business with structured training, personal support and earning a recent work reference.

Michael quickly proved himself as a very reliable and capable worker who got on well with his colleagues. Speedpak recognised his potential, and within two years, when a vacancy arose, he successfully secured a senior operative role in the company. In this new job he oversaw warehousing, order fulfilment and detailed collation jobs for commercial customers. Importantly, he mentored new trainees, passing on his experience and supporting others on the same journey.

This transformation demonstrates Speedpak’s impact, providing people facing barriers to employment with the opportunity, confidence, and skills to rebuild their working lives. Michael’s progression from long-term unemployment to leadership is a clear example of how Speedpak changes lives for the better and in doing so strengthens the local community.

How our Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) Model ‘Worked’ for Michael

Michael’s journey with Speedpak shows what can be achieved when collaboration, resources and enterprise come together. We first connected with him through our community partner TOSU, an organisation that supports ex-prisoners. This referral opened the door to our C ommunity Employment Scheme, part-funded by the Department of Social Protection, which gave Michael long-term work experience and training.

With additional targeted investment from the Dormant Account Fund Kick Start Programme, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, we were able to provide him with industry training and one-to-one occupational job coaching. Our commercial trading businesses then offered real work experience, supported by revenue from customers and annual investment from our corporate partner AbbVie. Finally, through part-funding from the Community Services Programme wage subsidy scheme, we were able to employ Michael full-time.

As a Work Integration Social Enterprise, Speedpak’s role is to use our enterprise model to build strong cross-sector partnerships, access local talent and leverage available resources. This collaborative approach gives people who are long-term unemployed the opportunity to secure work, regain financial independence and rebuild their lives with confidence.