Case Studies

Case Study A

The following is an account of the experience of a graduate, placed as part of the WAM Programme, in the Civil Service. The article, entitled ‘Flexible Friend: The experience of a WAM Programme intern’, appeared in the Link newsletter which is circulated to all Civil Servants.

[Account appears on page 10 of the Link Newsletter, Issue no. 50, July 2007]

Professional Limbo

Every so often it happens that something mundane and insignificant will sum up something more seminal in one’s life. The flexi system with its clock-in machine and its little plastic card seems to have fallen into that category for me.

This time last year I was an out-of-work graduate with a disability and more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. I was despairing of those potential employers who refused to reply to my job applications, and I had never so much as imagined the mighty flexi.

Then one day as the warm sunlight shone down on Kildare Street I started a six-month work placement with the Department of Agriculture and Food. I had already completed a four year degree course in University, but was entirely without work experience.

First Steps

Unlike so many of my contemporaries, my visual disability had prevented me from taking up part-time jobs throughout my teenage years and lengthy college holidays. The Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) project recognises the difficulties that graduates with disabilities face in getting their first steps on the career ladder. The mentoring project seeks to redress this imbalance by providing work placements in both the public and private sector to help build up the key skills of participating graduates.

Getting the Experience

Looking back on my spell in the Department it is difficult to believe just how fast time has flown, yet, while working in Food Division I played a role in so many interesting and yes, I have to say, exciting projects. A series of Regional Food For a took me to every corner of the country to meet with the most interesting of people; while the Department schemes, speech writing and other projects relating to the food industry contributed to the overall enjoyment of the job. One such highlight was when the little black-faced Connemara Hill Lamb received protection under the European Geographical Indication scheme – keep in mind that I was working in Food Division.

As a member of staff in the Department of Agriculture and Food I feel that I contributed positively to the overall day-to-day running of the Division. I also met some amazing, able, charming and funny colleagues in the Department – I’ll say no more, but no doubt if they are reading this then they will know who they are.

Fully Equipped

Certainly, the competencies and key skills I entered the Department with have been developed and strengthened – skills such as communications, teamwork and problem solving – as a direct result of my participation on the WAM Project and my experiences in the Civil Service. They should put me on a good footing for my forthcoming career and I look forward with confidence to future challenges.

And as my standard-issue clock-in card finally faced retirement I couldn’t help but feel that every moment was immensely valuable and carried its own premium.

Case Study B

The following is an account of the experience of a graduate, placed as part of the WAM Programme, in the Civil Service. The account, entitled ‘Entrepreneur in Profile’, appeared in an article on the WAM Programme in the Summer 2007 issue of the EQUAL online newsletter.

Case Study B (.pdf)

[Account appears on page 15 of the EQUAL online Newsletter, Issue No. 12, Summer 2007]

Case Study C

A business graduate, who is deaf secured a 6 month mentored work placement within a company. This proved to be the candidate’s first experience of the mainstream work environment. In gaining this placement the candidate had passed a full recruitment process and met all the skills required by management to fulfill the role. The candidate stated at interview that Irish sign language is their first and most comfortable language rather than English. However, it transpired that the particular work placement environment had a strong reliance on verbal communication for the routine exchange of information and also included the use of terms that are specific to the sphere of corporate actions. This posed considerable difficulties for the candidate who found lip-reading very strenuous.

Whilst the co-workers attempted to send more emails and write down a lot of information for the person, the manager noted that because the turnover of work was so fast some co-workers would do tasks for the candidate rather than explain them. On the spot verbal communication took up a significant part of this job. A sign language interpreter was provided for large meetings. Eventually it was agreed by all parties involved that the candidate would be better placed in another area of the organisation where quick, verbal communication was not a central feature, as the employer appreciated the work being done and did not want to lose a talented and enthusiastic employee.

The manager gained considerable learning about the work environment and core competencies that are required in order to fulfil this particular role and actually stated that this will be taken into account for all future recruitment. This experience provided essential learning for both the company and candidate. Considering that this was the candidates first work experience in the mainstream labour market, it proved to be very informative;

‘...it’s given me a greater understanding of my future... I can picture my future better...’

The candidate went on to secure a permanent position in the company.