SOS Kilkenny seek businesses who value diversity in workplace to partner on initiative

SOS Kilkenny has been awarded funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund for Work4Life, a specialist employment service that will guide adults with intellectual disabilities and autism on their path to paid employment.

SOS is looking for businesses and organisations who value and promote diversity in the workplace to partner with them and offer opportunities for paid employment, work experience or job tasters to job seekers theysupport.

Employing a person with an intellectual disability or autism makes business sense for an organisation and their staff team. Bank of Ireland employs three people supported by SOS Kilkenny, one of whom is Conor Tobin.

Conor works for eight hours per week offering administrative support to Bank of Ireland team leaders. When asked if employing a person with an intellectual disability or autism has had a positive impact in Bank of Ireland and on the staff team, Jennifer Murphy of Bank of Ireland explains:

“Having Conor as part of our team over the past six years has been a fantastic experience and we look forward to working with him into the future. Conor is dedicated and diligent in his work, conscientious and thorough in his attitude and he delivers brilliant results for the team.

"We have developed an excellent relationship and our team has gained invaluable experience in communicating more effectively, coaching and mentoring and enhancing our people management skills. Conor has a great ability to lift our mood and give us a boost when we need it – a skill which is extremely valued - and we are privileged to have him on our team. As an organisation, one of our values is to enable our colleagues to thrive, and working alongside Conor really emphasises this.”

Employing a person with a disability or autism can have a significant, positive impact on staff morale and motivation. It will enhance your reputation with both your employees and your customers. It will give your staff the opportunity to improve their communication and mentoring skills and it will add an enthusiastic, skilled person to your team at the times you need it the most.

Do you have a busy café or restaurant? You could employ someone to work at lunchtime to clear and clean tables? Is Thursday your delivery day? You could employ someone to work Thursdays to unload the delivery and fill the shelves. Would your team benefit from assistance with basic administration tasks? Work4Life employment facilitators will work with you to identify a specific role for a person that will be of benefit to you and your team and will match the skills and talents of the person.

If you would like to request an employer information pack or discuss offering an opportunity to a jobseeker SOS Kilkenny support, please contact employment@soskilkenny.com or on 087-6353895.