Employment for People from Immigrant Communities (EPIC)

EPIC (Employment for People from Immigrant Communities) is an innovative programme open to all adults from EU states entitled to work in Ireland and those from non-EU states with stamp 4. The aim of EPIC is to assist this target group to find employment and/or further training and education in Ireland. In 2006, EPIC began as the Employment Programme for Parents of Irish Born Children but since then has broadened its client group to include other immigrants. To date, over 70% of EPIC clients have been successfully placed in employment or further education.

A partnership approach

EPIC is funded by the Office of the Integration Agency, under the Department of Integration and delivered through a partnership of SPIRASI and Business in the Community.

How EPIC works

The programme consists of a free six-week training module focusing on the following subjects:

• Professional English for employment training
• Life and Work Skills training

The module is followed by individual assistance from Training and Employment Officers to prepare and assist participants in finding employment or further education and training. All clients also have access to a Social Support Officer, available to respond to any of the participants' fears, worries or family issues.

English classes

The part of the programme consists of a 3-week English course to prepare for employment. A new course begins every three weeks. The aim is to ensure that the participants are familiar with language terms used in CVs cover letters, interviews and also in the workplace. Each class lasts for three hours.

• In the first week students gain confidence in discussing their career goals, hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes, and life experience.
• The second week is focused on the language we use in the workplace, such as giving and taking instructions, making and taking telephone calls and dealing with complaints.
• On the third week students learn interview skills and how to create a CV and cover letter.
• The classes also aim to build students' confidence in their own level of English and also confidence in speaking in public.
• Students are expected to have an intermediate or higher level of English in order to take part in the course. If their level of English is not suitable for our programme, they will be referred to other agencies.

Life Skills

On this part of the training the focus is on employment and integration issues.

During the first week, the focus is on intensive interview skills, including a mock interview with a professional recruiter from a BITC member company. For the second week, we invite guest speakers from different government and non-government organisations to give presentations about different topics: Social Welfare to work, Cross Cultural Issues, Money Advice and Budgeting, and Employment Rights & the Taxation System.

Through these modules we aim to empower our participants with the necessary information to build their confidence and to help them in making informed decisions about their future.

IT Skills

The final part of training consists of two full days of computer skills training for job seekers at British Telecom's new state of the art training facility at Winter Garden off Pearse Street. BT is a BITC member company.

Training and Employment Officers

Finally, clients are assigned a Training and Employment Officer who works on a one-to-one basis, in person with each client to develop a career plan and to then get the client placed in employment. If further education is required for the client's chosen field, the TEO can also help the client find an appropriate course or degree programme.

Depending on client's needs, a mentoring service is also available, as is entrepreneurial advice for those clients wishing to start their own business.

Social Support

At any stage during the programme, our Social Support Officer is available to offer you individual support in dealing with problems such as:

• Child-care, e.g. difficulty in finding appropriate child-care
• Welfare to Work options; advice with how your social welfare payments will be affected when you start work and the best option for you
• Social Welfare Appeals
• Accommodation problems
• Relationship difficulties
• Family re-unification
• Dealing with trauma experienced in country of origin
• Health concerns
• Dealing with stress, anxiety, depression

The Social Support Officer is available Monday and Tuesday 9am to 5pm and on Wednesdays from 11am to 2:30pm.

How to Apply?

Applicants are expected to have an intermediate or higher level of English in order to take part in the course.

For more information on the programme and details on how you can qualify, please contact the EPIC team at 31 O’Connell Street, Dublin 1; Tel: 01 8743840 or epic@bitc.ie