Pathways to Employment

20/11/2025

We are delighted to announce that Blackwater Training has been selected as one of the funded projects under the Department of Justice Integration Fund 2025. This national fund supports community organisations working to strengthen inclusion, participation, and equal opportunities for people seeking international protection across Ireland.

Our funded project, Pathways to Employment, will run throughout 2026 and will support people living in rural areas who often face limited access to training, services, and employment pathways.

🌿 About the Pathways to Employment Programme

The Pathways to Employment programme is designed to build the language skills, digital literacy, and job-seeking confidence that international protection applicants (IPAs) need to engage fully in the Irish labour market.

While many programmes are based in cities, rural communities often have fewer supports available. Our project responds directly to this gap by bringing training into local community venues, making learning accessible, practical, and welcoming.

What the Programme Includes

Across outreach locations in Cavan and Meath, participants will take part in a structured 12-month learning pathway including:

  • English language classes focused on workplace communication

  • ICT & digital literacy training for job applications, email, and online tools

  • CV writing, interview skills & job-seeking workshops

  • Sessions on workers' rights and employment protections in Ireland

  • Monthly integration events, including intercultural meet-ups, employer visits, and community mornings

This approach combines skill development with confidence building, social connection, and real understanding of the Irish employment landscape. 

Key Targets and Impact

Over the course of the programme, we aim to achieve:

  • 80 participants engaging in the full training pathway

  • 200 hours of language, digital, and employment-focused training

  • 80 personalised CVs created

  • 60 mock interviews and job-application sessions completed

  • Sessions on Irish employment rights

  • 12 integration events delivered. 

These targets reflect our commitment to measurable, meaningful outcomes that support people to move toward employment, volunteering, or further education.

Why This Matters

At Blackwater Training, we believe that rural communities thrive when everyone has access to opportunity.
This programme gives participants not only practical skills, but also:

  • a sense of belonging,

  • a chance to connect with local communities,

  • and the confidence to take their next steps.

We are proud to play a role in ensuring that international protection applicants living in Cavan and Meath feel supported, included, and empowered.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Department of Justice and Minister of State Colm Brophy for supporting this project.

You can read the national announcement here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/minister-of-state-colm-brophy-announces-117-projects-to-be-funded-under-the-2025-integration-fund/ 

We look forward to working closely with local communities, partners, and participants throughout 2026 to make Pathways to Employment a strong and meaningful success.

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