Next STEP Programme
Next STEP (Supporting Transitions to Employment Programme) is a nationwide vocational support programme delivered to students in their final year in Special Schools across Ireland. It aims to support the post-school transitions of these students to maximise their opportunities for further training or careers.
What is it?
This programme is funded as part of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) Transitions Programme by the Department of Education and Youth. It also forms part of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Lifelong Guidance which has been operating since 2022.
This is a pilot programme, currently working with 41 schools across Ireland, which aims to support the transition of young people with disabilities to improve access to, and opportunities for, post-school options (including training, education, employment and apprenticeship opportunities).
What is involved?
The programme directly supports and connects companies and other providers in supporting pupils with work readiness, vocational training and work placements delivered through group and individual sessions. Sessions vary across the range of schools, but typically include life skills such as personal hygiene, money management, transport training and retail training. Vocational training such as interviews, CV preparation, workplace preparation, workplace visits, work experience and career talks are also provided.
We would welcome companies who can support with ad-hoc workplace visits, career talks or short work placement experiences.
Boots
Boots supported this programme during 2025 in donating 25 hygiene boxes, one of which was given to each of 25 schools in the programme where they were used for life skills training in personal care and hygiene. These boxes made a difference in being able to teach the young people hand hygiene, personal care, nail care and haircare. In total, these hygiene boxes benefitted 170 students with additional needs in 25 schools across 12 counties in Ireland, including counties Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Donegal, Kerry, Limerick, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Waterford, Sligo and Galway.
We would also like to thank companies and social enterprises who have supported this pilot programme over the past 3 years, which include the following:
Register your interest for your company or school to participate
Next STEP is funded by the Department of Education and Youth
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