The 2018 Gateway to Employment Project ran from March to October 2018. The project worked with 25 women with refugee status and family members of refugees.
The project centred around an English course that catered to three levels of English and a cultural competencies and personal effectiveness course. These classes were run three days a week. Through the cultural competencies and personal effectiveness course, participants studied travel and transport, healthcare in Ireland, education in Ireland and employment. Participants also participated in a one-to-one mentoring programme where many participants wrote CVs, Cover Letters and practiced interviewing.
Guest lectures were held to supplement the weekly classes, and included visits from a local female driving instructor, HSE Community Outreach Representatives, and a women’s career-coach.
We ran trips to Cork City Library, University College Cork (UCC), the Glucksman Gallery, the Crawford Gallery, the Latern Project at Nano Nagle Place and to Ballymaloe Cookery School and Gardens.
By the end of the project, 16 participants were enrolled in accredited and non-accredited courses including Childcare, Horticulture, Biotechnology, Healthcare Assistant, General Learning and English classes. 6 participants were engaged in work experience opportunities.
