Open Doors Initiative publishes progress report to mark one year since programme was launched

The Open Doors Initiative is today publishing a progress report on its plan to address major barriers to employment for key marginalised groups on the first anniversary of the launch of the initiative.

The Open Doors Initiative was launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in September last year, when 14 companies and organisations came together to improve employability for groups where unemployment rates are higher than average – namely Migrants (including asylum seekers and refugees); People with disabilities; and unemployed youth facing barriers such as education.

35 companies are now involved in the initiative and more companies are joining all the time. Each company has committed to provide inclusive pathways to employment and by offering a variety of employability interventions. Measurement got underway at the start of the year and the highlights of January to July, include:

• Almost 1,500 (1,452) people have successfully completed an intervention from one of our participant companies
• 104 people from the three target groups now have a full-time role.
• Over 21,500 hours (21,520) have been spent on supporting programmes and delivering interventions (mentoring, training, etc.)
• 102 barriers (monetary, language, physical accessibility, etc.) have been removed by participating companies.

Country Director for Diageo Ireland, Oliver Loomes, said: “What has been achieved in just a year since we came together with our partners and Government to launch the Open Doors Initiative has been remarkable. The figures speak for themselves and I am delighted that so many people in the three target groups have availed of an intervention to assist them in employability. It’s also remarkable that we started with 14 companies and we are now at 35 and are growing all the time. This is proof of what we can achieve collectively.”

Anne Heraty, CEO, Cpl Resources, said : “We’re delighted to have been involved with the Open Doors Initiative from the start and to come together with other companies to assist with employability for marginalised groups and encourage greater inclusivity in workplaces. It’s a testament to what we are doing that so many more organisations have joined us so far on this journey to make a difference and we really hope that many more join us and play a part too.”

Along with the 35 participating companies and organisations, 18 supporting partners are assisting with the initiative. These range from state bodies, Ibec and Ictu and NGOs working with migrants, young people, those with disabilities and businesses.