New ‘Work-Ability’ Programme for Co Galway

Galway Rural Development (GRD) has announced that they are commencing a new  ‘Inclusive Pathways to Employment’ programme titled Work-Ability. The programme is focused on achieving improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities in Co Galway through a range of support measures.

The programme will support projects that provide progressive pathways into employment through education, training, skills development; as well as in-work support for participants based on their needs, their abilities, and their potential.

Chairperson of Galway Rural Development, Cllr Peter Roche, said “This is great news as we start the new year. The aim of the new Work-Ability Programme is to ensure people with disabilities are fully supported to find and maintain employment, and to support the organisations who employ programme participants. The existing disability services, employment services, and employers will be central to our approach.” CEO of GRD, Steve Dolan, said “We’re delighted with this new programme which compliments and enhances our existing work. The over-riding objective of the programme is to improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities who may be currently distant from the labour market for a variety of reasons.” “We will also focus on building the capacity of employers to recruit, retain and progress people with disabilities within their workforce; and will work to facilitate new partnerships amongst stakeholders and new approaches to providing employment supports to all those with disabilities.”

Galway Rural Development will be advertising for three posts immediately to support the programme, with the roles to be based in the north, east, and south of the county. The new programme is intended to be operational within weeks and will be fully supported by the SICAP, Tús, and GRD’s existing activation programmes.

The Work-Ability: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme is a new programme co- financed by the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme (EIST) 2021-2027 and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

Pictured are Chairperson of GRD Cllr Pete Roche, Executive Director Anne Kinsella, and CEO Steve Dolan, and GRD has announced three new roles across the county under the Work-Ability ‘Inclusive Pathways to Employment’ programme.