Migrant Communities Recognised

It has emerged that over 1,000 immigrants from 53 different nationalities are currently being supported by the Irish Training and Employment Programme, EPIC.

As the number of immigrants seeking training and employment continues to rise, a special graduation ceremony was held this week in Dublin.

Business in the Community Ireland's unique collaboration, entitled 'EPIC: Employment for People from Immigrant Communities' was also recognised by the Minister for Integration, John Curran, for its successful contribution to social inclusion.

The Minister acknowledged the success of EPIC at the most recent graduation ceremony from the programme which saw 125 participants receive certificates of completion from the Minister.

Since its inception in 2007, 1097 people from 53 different countries from Germany, Spain and Latvia to Angola, Iraq and Bangladesh have been referred to EPIC. Of these, 680 people have been eligible to participate and nearly 500 of these have been successfully placed in either training or education (36%) or in employment (64%).

Although recent figures show a rise in the number of immigrants returning home, EPIC has experienced a 25% increase in numbers from 2008 to 2009.

Placement trends for 2009 show that education placements are rising from 21% in 2008 to 28% in 2009, considering current external factors employment placements are down slightly to 30% but many are still finding successful employment opportunities.

Currently, there are 31 immigrants waiting to begin the programme.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony Minister for Integration, John Curran said: "I congratulate the EPIC programme on its continued success and on achieving such significant results.

"It directly assists people to find employment or enter further education and ultimately to become self sufficient.

"In these difficult times all sections of society have a contribution to make to the economy which is evident by looking at the shortlist and the winners of last week's permanent TSB Ethnic Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2009 as well as today's graduates," he said.

"Ireland has been fortunate in the type of migrants that it has attracted; these migrants have made significant contributions to the economy in the past and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. I also welcome the important role corporate Ireland has to play in social inclusion."

EPIC has two key business partners who have worked closely with the training programme since 2008.

CPL, a Dublin based recruitment agency, has provided 234 clients with mock job interviews and BT has provided IT skills training for 170 clients to date.

The graduation ceremony was held as part of National Corporate Responsibility Week 2009 to show how effective collaboration between community and business can have successful results.

(BMcC/GK)