Testimonials
Paschal Donahoe, T.D.
Minister for Finance
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As the local representative for the area, I know Dublin’s north inner city well. I know the warmth and strength of community that exists here in this vibrant part of Dublin. In recent years, the Government has put a major initiative in place through the Taoiseach’s Task Force in the North Inner City (NEIC) to further support the development and regeneration of the area and to ensure that opportunities are available to all. The Career LEAP programme further builds on this and provides a valuable route for young adults into the rewarding and fulfilling world of employment and education. This is a great achievement for all the young people who participated on this training programme. Your determination and commitment is to be commended and clearly has borne real results in terms of employment. I wish you every future success.
Marie O’Reilly
Community partner & Chairperson of East Wall Youth
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The impact of Career LEAP on the youth services and the wider community has been very positive. It has helped the community understand the needs of young people and their commitment to a new and innovative way of learning. The need for joined up thinking and joined up practice when working with young people and the necessity of community led initiatives and projects which involve communities as equal partners, is essential. This study has shown that their knowledge on the ground of the realities of young people’s lives and the challenges that some of them face has to be incorporated into any future initiatives when targeting work readiness schemes for the people involved
Michael Stone
Executive Chairperson of the North East Inner City (NEIC) Ministerial Task Force
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Career LEAP has had a very positive effect on the young people who have participated to date. It provides them with an opportunity to get a better understanding of the world of work and assists in reducing barriers to accessing training and employment. The collaboration between the programme and its business collaborators has proved to be very effective
Julie Sharp
Head of Group HR, Bank of Ireland
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Career LEAP has been both positive for the Bank and rewarding for our colleagues. Our participation has brought many benefits, contributing to team-building, increasing motivation, and fostering openness and inclusiveness.
Sinéad Smith
Corporate Responsibility Manager, A&L Goodbody
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A&L Goodbody is delighted to be part of the Career LEAP programme because supporting employment initiatives in our local community is one of the key focuses of our wider Step Up Community programme. We are also very keen to support the collaborative nature of the project which measures the impact of what organisations can achieve together.
Aimee Harding
Youth Worker
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As a youth worker Career LEAP is an excellent programme meeting the needs of the most at-risk group in the NEIC area through a non-judgmental pedagogy approach which this cohort relate really well too. It is not like anything they have engaged in before and that is why I feel it works. The group discussions, role plays and drama in education approach gives them an opportunity to participate without fear of failing.
Julian Yarr
Managing Partner A&L Goodbody
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Supporting the issue of gaining employment is one of our two key pillars in the community projects we take part in; the other being education. As part of this, we were very keen to take part in the Career Leap programme to provide young people in our local community of Dublin 1 with work experience. We really like the model of this programme which in addition to providing work experience, also trains and helps build confidence in young people so that they are work ready before they enter employment. We also believe it is important to be part of a wider group of corporates in the docklands area supporting a common social issue in our local community
Niamh Barry
Training and Development Manager, Walls Construction
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From our first year participating on the Career LEAP programme, we fully embraced it. We admire and respect the principles, objectives and innovative approach of this unique programme. Getting your first job and the benefits it brings can be difficult, for some more than others, and Career LEAP does its utmost to bridge this gap. Walls would like to wish all the participants on the programme the very best in their future endeavours
Lauren Keogh
Career LEAP graduate
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Career LEAP brought me out of my comfort zone and I have so much more confidence in myself. I now have my first job from doing Career LEAP and have met so many great people
Dr Patrick Prendergast
Trinity Provost
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Young people who are not in education, training or employment face severe challenges in entering the workplace and participating fully in society. The north inner city region of Dublin which is on our doorstep experiences particular challenges. Here at Trinity we have a history of tackling disadvantage through the Trinity Access Programmes. I am delighted that ‘Career LEAP’ led by Professor O’Sullivan and her team at the School of Education, in partnership with our community and business partners, is another excellent programme that can provide effective and innovative intervention.
Mairéad Mahon
Community partner, Former Director of Swan Youth Service
