The 8th annual Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards saw the Houses of the Oireachtas take the Workplace and Organisation of the Future award for its OWL training and graduate programme.
These awards comprise an annual programme to recognise the excellent work of staff and showcase innovations in policy and service delivery across the Civil Service.
The OWL Programme provides people with intellectual disabilities a pathway to employment in the Civil and Public Service. The Houses of the Oireachtas Service facilitates the OWL programme in collaboration with KARE, WALK and City of Dublin Education and Training Board. It is also supported by the Public Appointments Service, Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Trainees complete three different work experience placements, along with a training programme, to develop the necessary skills to work in the open labour market.
This is a ground-breaking initiative and is the first Supported Employment Model for people with intellectual disabilities in the Civil and Public Service. The success of the OWL Programme has culminated in permanent employment for graduates in both the public and private sector-60% have gained permanent part-time employment within Government Departments and offices such as the Houses of the Oireachtas Service, Public Appointments Service, Department of Social Protection, Office of Government Procurement, National Shared Services Office, Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The remaining graduates are undertaking further education and training.
Ten trainees are currently completing the programme and due to graduate in July 2023.