EPIC - Employment for People from Immigrant Communities

EPIC-Employment for People from Immigrant Communities-is one of the social inclusion programmes of Business in the Community Ireland.

EPIC support adults from EU states entitled to work in Ireland and those from non-EU states with stamp 4 with securing employment, training and education in Ireland.

Background

The programme was set up in response to a decision made in 2005 by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. During 2006 and 2007 the EPIC programme targeted parents of Irish-born children in need to demonstrate that have taken steps towards becoming economically independent in the State in order to maintain residency. Due to the high success of the programme in 2008 the target group was enlarged to include all legally resident EU and non-EU adults who have permission to work in Ireland and would like to access employment. EPIC represents Employment for People from Immigrant Communities.

A partnership approach

EPIC is funded by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (formerly the Office of the Minister for Integration) under the Department of Justice and Equality, co-financed under the European Social Fund Human Capital Operational Programme 2007-2013 and managed by Business in the Community Ireland.

Our approach is both holistic and client focused. We aim to not only help participants realise the direction they want to take with their career but also to empower them to be as self sufficient as possible in securing employment. The Programme also offers a range of free services focused on supporting the participants' integration within both the workplace and their new Irish community.

What EPIC offers

There are two simultaneous elements to the Programme, the first is a six week training module, the second is one to one individual support with a Training and Employment Officer.

1. Training module:

• Pre Employment and English for Work Training (3 weeks)- CV and cover letter writing techniques, telephone skills for specific use in job interviews and in the workplace environment and advice on how to look for a job
• Interview Skills Training (1 Week)-intensive interview preparation including different tips, skills and techniques. Each clients attends a mock interview with a leading Dublin based recruitment agency
• Living and Working in Ireland Training (2 weeks) – information sessions on a variety of themes to facilitate networking, understanding of the Irish system and to promote social integration. Some of the covered topics are employment rights and entitlements, social welfare to work and access to education and healthcare 
• IT Skills Training (2 days) –focusing on the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

1. One-To-One Individual Support with TEOs

Training and Employment Officers with expertise and wide experience in career advice and job placement provide one-to-one support sessions on the various steps in seeking new employment or education. They assist with CV and interview preparation, psychometric testing, coaching for interviewsas well as working with the participant to source and secure further education or employment.

Other benefits:

• Social Support – advice on Social Welfare, housing, family and other issues
• Mentoring service
• Advice for entrepreneurs
• Free access to computers for online job searching
• Certificate of Participation upon completion of the Training

Eligibility

Participants must first meet three essential criteria in order to be accepted for the Programme:

1. StatusParticipants must be adults from EU states entitled to work in Ireland and those from non-EU states with stamp 4.

2. LocationAs the EPIC Programme is based in Dublin, participants must be looking for work in the Dublin region

3. Level of EnglishIn order to participate in the Programme, it is essential that participants have intermediate to high level of both written and spoken English. Participants will have their English assessed prior to beginning with the Programme.

Click here to see EPIC Programme figures for 2010

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS TO THE PROGRAMME:                               

EMPLOYERS:

If you would like to discuss our employment programmes please contact Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager at 01 874 7232 or mhorgan@bitc.ie

CANDIDATES & SERVICE PROVIDERS: click here for EPIC Information Sheet and here for our Training Schedule

CONTACT US:

For further information on the EPIC Programme, please contact Caitríona Mac Aonghusa or Catherine Headon at 01 8743840 or epic@bitc.ieEPIC Programme Business in the Community 30/31 Lower O' Connell Street Dublin 1