GradEmployNI

Joseph-Richard, P. (Chair)

Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...

Period	15 Dec 2021 → 15 Aug 2022
Event type	Course
Location	Belfast, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	Regional

Documents & Links

A new graduate employability programme has provided life-changing employment opportunities to university graduates with disabilities in Northern Ireland. GradEmployNI, delivered by Ulster University Business School (UUBS) in partnership with leading charity Leonard Cheshire, transformed the employment prospects for graduates with disabilities by matching 25 talented individuals with paid placement opportunities in leading businesses across Northern Ireland. Employment data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency shows that just 38% of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland are in positions of employment compared to the national figure of 80.3% of those who do not have disabilities. Those with disabilities in the 16-24 age group are the worst affected by the employment and skills gap, meaning skilled graduates rarely get a fair chance of shining in the workplace. GradEmployNI was launched in January 2022 and aims to help disabled graduates reach their career ambitions and maximise their employment potential through access to new learning opportunities and experiences, as well as helping local organisations access a diverse pool of high-calibre candidates. The 14-week placement scheme offered participants a pathway to tailored learning, practical employment training, coaching, and a supported industrial work placement with a local organisation. 25 participants have completed the programme since its launch. For many, the pioneering scheme has had a transformative impact on graduate capabilities and employability, with a number of participants reporting the programme had improved their overall confidence and helped create a sense of purpose in their careers.