Cuimsiú Programme
Celebrating neurodiversity, supporting inclusive employment.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Social Protection, and the European Union.
The Cuimsiú Programme is a WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme.
The programme aims to ensure that people with disabilities are fully supported to find and maintain employment.
The programme also aims to support organisations which employ programme participants to ensure that their employment is successful.
The Objectives of the Programme are:
- To improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities who are currently distant from the labour market.
- To build the capacity of employers to recruit, retain and progress people with disabilities within their workforce.
- To facilitate new partnerships amongst stakeholders (people with disabilities, disability services, employment services and employers) and new approaches to providing employment supports to people with disabilities.
The WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme is co-financed by the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme (EIST) 2021-2027 and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
For more information, please visit the Pobal website.
The Cuimsiú Programme - What is it?
Cuimsiú (kwim-shoo) means inclusion.
The Cuimsiú Programme is an initiative set up by FIT to support Neurodivergent and Disabled People on a path to tech employment that works for them. We also work with employers to support them in creating inclusive workplaces.
- No diagnosis needed
- Ages 16+
- Identify as neurodivergent and/or disabled
Our Aims
- Increased employment rates for Neurodivergent and Disabled tech enthusiasts.
- Enhanced job readiness for participants.
- Increase in the range and diversity of employers employing people with disabilities
- Increasing networking and access to employers for participants.
Your journey with Cuimsiú
The Cuimsiú programme is not a 9-5 classroom-based programme.
Our team holds online and in person events and training from March to November each year on a range of topics, while providing you with 1:1 support with our Employability Mentors.
The programme is suitable for people who are unemployed, in employment or education.
We have aimed to make the programme as flexible as possible for those who have multiple responsibilities.
Once you join us, we offer you personalised supports to help you reach your employment goals.
If you progress to employment or education while you are with us, you will still have access to our team for another 6 months to support you with the transition.
- Access to tech training, platforms and workshops.
- 1:1 sessions with our Employability Mentors.
- Preparation for the workplace – interview preparation and CV workshops.
- Access to assistive technology.
- Opportunities to network with employers.
- Soft skills training – communication, leadership, team work, confidence and more!
- Mental health and wellbeing.
- Exploring career options and meeting leaders in industry.
- Self-advocacy and your rights in the workplace.
- Transitioning to the workplace.
How do candidates sign up?
If you are interested in joining the Cuimsiú programme, you can register your interest through this online form.
After this, you will receive an email from our team to schedule a call.
- Talk you through the programme and registration process.
- Answer any questions you might have.
Our FIT Cuimsiú Team
Nicole Lonican
Cuismiú Programme Coordinator
Colm McNamee
Cuimsiú Employability Mentor
Our Advisory Council
To support and guide us in the roll out of the Cuimsiú Programme, we have an Advisory Council made up of current candidates with lived experience, advocacy organisations, employers, and experts in the field.
Employers
Alongside working with our candidates, our team supports employers in their own efforts to create more inclusive workplaces.
- Online and in person training
- Opportunities to share inclusive practices.
- Opportunities to meet and hear from our candidates.
- Support and resources from the Cuimsiú Team
How do employers sign up?
Employers who are interested in joining our Cuimsiú Network can register their interest through this online form.
After this, you will receive an email from one of our team to schedule a call so that we can learn more about your goals in this area and how we might be able to support.
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