Next STEP Programme

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.

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:

We would also like to thank Iarnród Éireann for organising annual ‘Try a Trade’ days for students in Special Schools to get a ‘taster’ experience of the apprenticeship training on offer with Iarnród Éireann at their Apprenticeship training venue at the Inchicore depot. This was a valuable practical experience for students from a number of schools.