HomeIASE National Conference 2007 Report
"Supported Employment Conference inspires delegates in Tullamore"
The Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE) held their national conference in the Tullamore Court Hotel from November 6th – 8th. The IASE promotes and develops Supported Employment in Ireland; a process in which people with disabilities are helped to access paid employment in the open labour market. This 3-day event included workshops, guest presentations, information sessions and networking opportunities, and was attended by over 250 delegates.
The conference began on Tuesday 6th November with an Employer Evening, where economic commentator David McWilliams addressed an audience of over 150 local business people, with his interesting and often humorous views on topics such as the Celtic Tiger, the housing boom and what the future holds for the Irish economy. In relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities into the labour market McWilliams said “ Over the past number of years we have become a nation of individualists, striving for our own personal gains, but I am hopeful that the economic changes that we currently face will make us reassess where we are as a society and find something deeper, something that will benefit all members within our society”
Also speaking to employers was IASE Patron, Senator Feargal Quinn, who successfully employed many people with disabilities throughout his time as CEO of Superquinn. “Our HR was called the Department of Talent and every single staff member’s skills were valued and developed”. On the night, one young man with lots of talent was Emmet Grogan from Tullamore, who gave his account of how Supported Employment helped him to acquire his position as Executive Officer in the Department of Finance. “Local Supported Employment service MESA, helped me to apply on line, gave me advice before my interview and helped me to settle into my job. My Employment Officer Aoife Buggy is very helpful to me”
Day 2 of the conference was opened with an inspiring speech by soccer pundit John Giles, who spoke about the value of workplace mentors and good management policies in creating an environment where talents can be developed. Drawing on his experience as a professional soccer player, Giles said he believes that “good managers create the environment where talent can blossom” and said he was very impressed with the work of the IASE in helping employers to embrace the talents of people with disabilities. John Giles is a figurehead of the IASE’s National Job Shadow Day, which will take place around the country on April 23rd 2008. Tony Reilly from the IASE explained that ‘Job Shadow Day’ is an awareness campaign for Supported Employment. “On this day many people with disabilities will get the chance to ‘shadow’ a workplace mentor in an area of work that interests him/her. This gives the jobseeker the chance to try-out a real life work situation, while giving the employer the chance to learn more about the talents of people with disabilities and about Supported Employment”
Other speakers at the event included IBEC’s Tony Donoghue who gave his predictions on future employment trends, Siobhan Barron from the National Disability Authority who outlined progress of the 3% Employment Quota for people with disabilities in the Public Sector. Fás gave a presentation on its commitment to Supported Employment and other labour market supports for people with disabilities.
Probably the most entertaining and inspiring presentation over the 3 days, was given by John Lonergan, Governor of Mountjoy Prison. Speaking without visual aids or notes, Lonergan engaged the 250 + delegates with his humorous, yet poignant reflections on Irelands changing culture. “We sadly miss our community – our sense of belonging and inclusion” Lonergan said “We must try to recapture the wonderful community principles of the past” He described how employers of old like Guinness and Bewleys were “not just about profit. They looked after their workers and the communities in which they operated”. He went on to say “we cannot over-estimate the value of work in our communities. There are no graphs or statistics available to measure the extraordinary human value when more people are working in a community - where dormant, unknown, undeveloped talent is turned into something wonderful”. Lonergan was drawing on his experience in rehabilitating prisoners through training and work options, but was keen to express his views regarding Supported Employment for people with disabilities. “The cost of a service is insignificant when compared with the value to society where more people are working”
Chairman of the Midlands Branch of the IASE Tony Reilly was very pleased with the success of the conference. “This years format of including some high profile speakers has increased attendance and insured a very interesting and entertaining conference. The Tullamore Court Hotel were very accommodating and the support of some local sponsors such as Fas, Laois Co.Co., Offaly County Enterprise Board and the hotel itself, helped to ensure the conference’s success”
Jobseekers or Employers wanting to know more about Job Shadow Day or Supported Employment in the Midlands can contact MESA at 057 93 23901 or log onto www.mesa4.com.
To listen to John Giles please click on the arrow in the video above.
To enlarge text on the page go to view on the toolbar. From here go to text size - and from the drop down list choose largest.
"Supported Employment Conference inspires delegates in Tullamore"
The Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE) held their national conference in the Tullamore Court Hotel from November 6th – 8th. The IASE promotes and develops Supported Employment in Ireland; a process in which people with disabilities are helped to access paid employment in the open labour market. This 3-day event included workshops, guest presentations, information sessions and networking opportunities, and was attended by over 250 delegates.
The conference began on Tuesday 6th November with an Employer Evening, where economic commentator David McWilliams addressed an audience of over 150 local business people, with his interesting and often humorous views on topics such as the Celtic Tiger, the housing boom and what the future holds for the Irish economy. In relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities into the labour market McWilliams said “ Over the past number of years we have become a nation of individualists, striving for our own personal gains, but I am hopeful that the economic changes that we currently face will make us reassess where we are as a society and find something deeper, something that will benefit all members within our society”
Also speaking to employers was IASE Patron, Senator Feargal Quinn, who successfully employed many people with disabilities throughout his time as CEO of Superquinn. “Our HR was called the Department of Talent and every single staff member’s skills were valued and developed”. On the night, one young man with lots of talent was Emmet Grogan from Tullamore, who gave his account of how Supported Employment helped him to acquire his position as Executive Officer in the Department of Finance. “Local Supported Employment service MESA, helped me to apply on line, gave me advice before my interview and helped me to settle into my job. My Employment Officer Aoife Buggy is very helpful to me”
Day 2 of the conference was opened with an inspiring speech by soccer pundit John Giles, who spoke about the value of workplace mentors and good management policies in creating an environment where talents can be developed. Drawing on his experience as a professional soccer player, Giles said he believes that “good managers create the environment where talent can blossom” and said he was very impressed with the work of the IASE in helping employers to embrace the talents of people with disabilities. John Giles is a figurehead of the IASE’s National Job Shadow Day, which will take place around the country on April 23rd 2008. Tony Reilly from the IASE explained that ‘Job Shadow Day’ is an awareness campaign for Supported Employment. “On this day many people with disabilities will get the chance to ‘shadow’ a workplace mentor in an area of work that interests him/her. This gives the jobseeker the chance to try-out a real life work situation, while giving the employer the chance to learn more about the talents of people with disabilities and about Supported Employment”
Other speakers at the event included IBEC’s Tony Donoghue who gave his predictions on future employment trends, Siobhan Barron from the National Disability Authority who outlined progress of the 3% Employment Quota for people with disabilities in the Public Sector. Fás gave a presentation on its commitment to Supported Employment and other labour market supports for people with disabilities.
Probably the most entertaining and inspiring presentation over the 3 days, was given by John Lonergan, Governor of Mountjoy Prison. Speaking without visual aids or notes, Lonergan engaged the 250 + delegates with his humorous, yet poignant reflections on Irelands changing culture. “We sadly miss our community – our sense of belonging and inclusion” Lonergan said “We must try to recapture the wonderful community principles of the past” He described how employers of old like Guinness and Bewleys were “not just about profit. They looked after their workers and the communities in which they operated”. He went on to say “we cannot over-estimate the value of work in our communities. There are no graphs or statistics available to measure the extraordinary human value when more people are working in a community - where dormant, unknown, undeveloped talent is turned into something wonderful”. Lonergan was drawing on his experience in rehabilitating prisoners through training and work options, but was keen to express his views regarding Supported Employment for people with disabilities. “The cost of a service is insignificant when compared with the value to society where more people are working”
Chairman of the Midlands Branch of the IASE Tony Reilly was very pleased with the success of the conference. “This years format of including some high profile speakers has increased attendance and insured a very interesting and entertaining conference. The Tullamore Court Hotel were very accommodating and the support of some local sponsors such as Fas, Laois Co.Co., Offaly County Enterprise Board and the hotel itself, helped to ensure the conference’s success”
Jobseekers or Employers wanting to know more about Job Shadow Day or Supported Employment in the Midlands can contact MESA at 057 93 23901 or log onto www.mesa4.com.
To listen to John Giles please click on the arrow in the video above.
To enlarge text on the page go to view on the toolbar. From here go to text size - and from the drop down list choose largest.
