Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced funding support of €300,000 by Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, to fund nonprofits supporting local employment opportunities through the Local Employment Task Force.

Launched in 2021 with support from Google, the Employment Task Force aims to find sustainable employment solutions for long-term unemployed people from the south inner city and provide training and development opportunities. 

Google’s Education Taskforce

The minister attended an event to present certificates to the first 10 parents of children with special needs who completed the Special Needs Assistants (SNA) qualification with support from Google.

This programme was established by Google’s Education Taskforce, a group consisting of the seven local schools in the area, who identified the need for SNA support. 

At the same time, the local Neurodiversity network in the community made up of over 60 families from Irishtown, Ringsend and Pearse Street (NIRP) approached Google seeking training support in the field of SNA and digital support. 

Docklands Community

Google supported 10 scholarships for the NIRP group. Ten parents successfully achieved level 5 and 6 qualifications in the field of SNA. They carried out their work experience in the local schools supported by the Education Task Force. 

Following the initial success of the programme, Google has now announced its intention to fund a further 10 scholarships in the Docklands community.

'Access To Training'

"Today is about recognising the importance of having access to training in your community," said David Sneddon, VP, Google Ireland.

"I would like to specifically congratulate those who graduated. All those who received a certificate today are mothers of children with additional needs who are passionate about their wider community."

Source: www.businessworld.ie