New programme aims to empower migrants in Waterford for life in Ireland

A new programme aims to prepare migrants in Waterford prepare for life in Ireland by helping them to access education and find employment. 

Turas Nua is partnering with Sláintecare Healthy Communities and Adult Literacy for Life to deliver a new training programme that aims to assist adult migrants based in Waterford.

The pilot programme will focus on helping migrants to secure employment or access education, as well as providing practical life advice, English language skills and guidance on navigating the Irish health and housing systems. 

Entitled Training for Life and Work in Ireland the programme was recently launched in the Turas Nua offices in Waterford. The pilot scheme is running for 12 weeks with four hour sessions held three days a week in the same Turas Nua Waterford offices based in Wallace House off Canada Street. 

15 migrants living in Waterford are participating in the initial pilot programme. They come from countries including Afghanistan, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sudan, Sweden and Ukraine. 

As well as Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Adult Literacy for Life and Turas Nua, multiple other local organisations are also helping to deliver the comprehensive programme.

Waterford City and County Council who will offer guidance on community living, government and local council affairs, as well as issues related to energy savings and access to housing. The Waterford and Wexford Educational Training Board (WWETB) will focus on English language assessment and teaching, IT skills, an overview of the educational system and career guidance.

The Health Service Executive's Health Promotion unit (HSE HP) will cover important aspects of mental health and lifestyle changes, while the Department of Social Protection (DSP) will educate participants on their welfare entitlements. Waterford Sports Partnership will handle the physical activity segment, with Sacred Heart and Brill Family Resource Centres covering topics related to parenting and healthy eating. Intercultural Health Hub will provide insights into how the Irish health system functions.

Waterford Local Enterprise Office will offer crucial guidance on self-employment, while the trade union SIPTU will address the issue of employment rights. Waterford Volunteer Centre will cover the ins and outs of volunteering and community work. The South East Regional Skills Forum will focus on identifying skill sets and potential work placements, and the South East Technological University (SETU) will be responsible for project evaluation, with the potential for the programme to be rolled out elsewhere. 

As well as hosting the programme, Turas Nua will also equip the participants to develop practical job-searching skills, such as CV writing, cover letter creation and interview techniques. Turas Nua’s Head of Partnerships, Samantha Richards played a key role in bringing the programme together on their side. 

Speaking about the programme, JulieAnn McCann, General Manager of Turas Nua said, “We are honoured to be partnering with Sláintecare and Adult Literacy for Life as well as the other stakeholders, on the delivery of this vital programme which we hope and expect will make a major practical contribution to the migrants who participate. Anyone who has ever spent any time living abroad will know how important it is to pick up local knowledge. Each country has its own particular approaches to employment and education, to health and housing as well as other essential aspects of day to day life.

“Our objective with this programme is to help show the participants some of the local ropes, so as to give them an easily accessible bank of practical knowledge and guidance that will assist them with their integration into employment and local society as they seek to build their lives in Ireland.  

“There has already been significant interest in this programme with more than 30 people applying for the pilot round. If the pilot is a success then hopefully we will see additional rounds reaching even more people who have moved to Waterford. We would encourage anyone who is considering participating to express their interest and send through their contact details,” Ms. McCann concluded. 

Anyone who is interested in potentially participating in the next iteration of the programme should email OMatiut@waterfordcouncil.ie or write to: Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Local Development Officer, City Hall, Waterford, X91 PK15. 

 Turas Nua aims to empower jobseekers, providing them with training and assistance so that they can work towards securing and sustaining full time employment or to explore self employment.  They provide this service in Waterford and across 12 other counties in the south of Ireland.