Second group of OWL trainees graduate from Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme

The second group in the ground-breaking Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme, graduated recently, at an awards ceremony in Leinster House.

The Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme specifically tailored towards young adults with an intellectual disability. The Programme was first launched by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD in September 2018 as a pilot programme with two sponsor organisations, WALK and AREK, and was facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service who provided a workplace in which these adults can learn and develop their skills to be “work ready”. The Houses of the Oireachtas is the first Parliament in the world to host a programme of its kind.

The outcome of the programme is to support OWL graduates to find meaningful and viable part-time permanent employment in the wider Civil and Public Service through the OWL Graduate Programme. Seven of this year’s graduates have already secured part-time employment following their participation in the programme; six across Government Departments and Offices and one in the private sector. Plans are underway to commence the next training programme in September 2022.

During their time in Leinster House, the ten current programme trainees (now graduates) were placed across different offices in-house and in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media where they gained valuable work experience in multiple areas. Throughout 2020 and 2021 the trainees engaged in remote working tasks where they gained valuable experience in a blended working setting.