Kilkenny supported education college to highlight ‘life-changing’ impact through open day

A man who once felt he was at his ‘lowest ebb’ is now leading a team of people thanks to the support of the National Learning Network (NLN), which this month opens its doors nationwide to showcase how it is transforming lives through inclusive training.

NLN, which has its Kilkenny office at Regent House, William Street, is inviting the public, employers and policymakers to see first-hand how it supports people with disabilities and those facing barriers to employment into meaningful, sustainable careers.

The NLN Open Day will be held in 50 locations across the country on Wednesday, April 15 from 11am.

Part of the Rehab Group, every year NLN supports hundreds of people with disabilities and mental health challenges to take the next step into meaningful employment or further education.

Through accessible programmes and tailored supports, NLN creates pathways that enable students to thrive in their own way.

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The organisation said that the Open Day comes at a critical time. Despite policy commitments, it outlined how Ireland continues to lag behind many European countries in the employment of people with disabilities, with participation rates significantly below the national average.

Just 33% of disabled people in Ireland are in employment, compared with an EU average of 51%. Persistent structural barriers, including limited access to training, employer misconceptions and a lack of inclusive workplace practices, continue to hold people back with NLN working to change this.

For Damian Smyth, attending NLN in Louth marked a turning point. “My life was at a very low ebb and in the darkest of places. I didn’t want to be here anymore,” he said. “I knew something had to change, but I didn’t know where to start.”

That starting point came when he joined NLN’s Fresh Start programme. “NLN wasn’t just offering me a sanctuary, it was a place where I could find the real me and maybe discover talents that had lain dormant. But the most important thing for me to find was my voice,” Damian added.

Through tailored training in computer skills and communications, Damian progressed to employment as a warehouse associate. Within a short time, his performance led to a promotion to Warehouse Manager.

“Never in my darkest days did I think I would be trusted with that level of responsibility,” he described.

Dr Rita Day, Director of Learning with Rehab Group said: “This is about more than training, it’s about futures.”

“Through our partnerships with over 700 employers, we are not only preparing people for work but actively connecting them with opportunities where they can grow and thrive and find jobs with a purpose.”

Visitors to NLN centres nationwide during the Open Day will have the opportunity to meet students currently undertaking training programmes, discuss supported education pathways and learn how NLN supports people in employment or further education.

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