WorkAbility Cork programme has marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of transforming employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Delivered in collaboration between SECAD Partnership and Cork Chamber, the programme has supported 80 participants to gain new skills, confidence, and pathways toward meaningful employment.
Supporting employers and jobseekers in creating and accessing more inclusive and diverse workplaces throughout the region and backed by SECAD’s 30-year track record in supporting employment and inclusion, the programme empowers individuals of all abilities to find meaningful work, while helping businesses embrace inclusive recruitment and practices.
The milestone was marked with a showcase event on 18th November at Penrose Dock, Cork, bringing together programme participants, employers, and community partners to highlight the progress achieved since the project’s launch last year and to celebrate the positive impact of inclusive employment across Cork.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Speaking following the event, Rob Horgan, president of Cork Chamber said that inclusion ‘strengthens and enriches both our workplaces and our communities’.
“The WorkAbility project demonstrates how collaboration between business and community partners can create real opportunity and belonging, helping Cork to thrive as a region where everyone has a place and a purpose,” he said.
While programme participant, Trevor O’Neill, who is currently completing an internship with NetApp said that WorkAbility has helped him regain confidence and develop the skills needed to pursue his dream job: “It opened doors to opportunities I never imagined possible.”
The showcase concluded with a clear message: inclusion benefits everyone, enriching workplaces, empowering individuals and strengthening Cork’s business community for the future.
