CORE Ireland offers work experience for those who wish to gain more confidence in a formal working environment. We have various positions available and we offer volunteers the experience to learn on-site. Office work includes working with computers, collaborating with community groups and helping plan and organise future events.
Currently, we have six volunteers from the National Learning Network who come to work with us during the week. These volunteers have been extremely helpful to us here at CORE and each week they provide valuable information for us to work with and produce excellent pieces for our website.
Continue reading on to find out about the experience of our volunteers.
“I joined National Learning Network in September 2015, and because I have a disability called Development Co-Ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia). I joined the Advance programme to get more experience in work environment and in social environment.
While on the Advance programme I did the following modules, Gardening and Horticulture, Personal Development, Computer Skills, Work Experience, Customer Service and Health and Fitness. My favourite module is Health and Fitness because I got to learn about all the muscle in the body, how to keep your body healthy and the right food I should be eating. After completing the Advance programme I joined the Employment Based Training course in April 2017.
I joined Employment Based Training course to further my work skills and social skills. While on the Employment Based Training course I did my work experience in GameStop in Blanchardstown. It really helped me improve my social situationsand to experience what it is like to work in a shop. On the Employment Based Training course I did the following modules, Interpersonal Development, Work Experience and Customer Service. My favourite module is Customer Service because I learned how to deal with customers in different ways.
I heard of Core Services from Bernard coming into National Learning Network talking to him about what Core does and how is helps families. I found it very interesting. I heard Core were looking for volunteers to help I immediately wanted to help because of what Core Services does.
I really enjoyed my time with National Learning Network because I meet a lot of new people and I learned a lot from the modules and work experience I did. I felt the National Learning Network understood my Disability and what supports I needed. Due to my dyspraxia I have co-ordination problems, poor muscle tone- my muscles get tired easily and I have fine motor skills problems, the National Learning Network worked around these problems with me.” – Ciarán
“I have worked in the construction industry for most of my adult life. It was for the best part a rewarding and enjoyable career. Unfortunately I had a bad accident at work in 2016 and my injuries prevented me from returning to work which was physically demanding.
The problem I now faced was what to do next. I simply didn’t have any other skills available to me so re-entering the workforce was proving to be a problem. At 52 yrs of age I thought my options were limited. Luckily for me a friend pointed me in the direction of the NLN and they arranged a meeting. I was introduced to Helen Mallon who immediately made me feel welcome and discussed the various courses on offer at NLN, NAVAN, CO. MEATH. Helen then introduced me to the IT and OFFICE studies and arranged a sample visit to see if I liked the course. I haven’t looked back since.
Part of this 18 month module consists of a concept called work experience. After a settling in period the students are encouraged to pick up some valuable work experience with organisations or business groups linked with the NLN. You could also arrange your own work experience. It applies for one day a week and is hugely beneficial to those students seeking employment. Core Ireland is a charity based organisation which is the Brainchild of Bernard Kenny. I was happy to be selected to work for Core Ireland as part of the work experience imitative.” –Frank
If you would like to volunteer contact us, or check our our volunteer page!