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Traveller Employment Programme

The Traveller Employment Programme supports members of the Irish Traveller community to gain and sustain meaningful employment. BITCI offer a flexible and supportive approach, shaped by the goals and circumstances of individual participants.

This tailor-made programme can help participants identify their career plans and achieve employment goals through one-to-one coaching and employment supports.

A man in construction attire talks to two men in suits sitting behind a desk, illustration.

How the programme works

We partner with local Traveller organisations and businesses. In line with our Elevate, Inclusive Workplace, Pledge, we encourage businesses to increase diversity and inclusion in their workplaces and to create long-term connections between the business and Traveller communities.

Services for participants:
  • Improve your job applications, including CV writing, interviews, LinkedIn profile etc.
  • Support to progress into education, training, enterprise or volunteering.
  • Access different services and supports (revenue, employment rights, social welfare and much more).
  • Tailored group sessions and career workshops – often delivered by business partners.
  • Support in linking with employers and network building.
  • Upon securing employment, support with paperwork, developing a routine and communicating with your employer.
Services for business:
  • Access to a diverse panel of jobseekers.
  • Guidance on including and promoting the recruitment and retention of Travellers.
  • Invitations to specialised training events.
  • In-employment support for staff where needed.

Who is eligible for this programme?

This programme is open to those who are:

  • A member of the Irish Traveller Community.
  • Interested in work or
  • Would like support around training or education.
  • Open to all including those on Social Welfare payments or CE Allowance. Your payments are not affected.

The programme is funded by Community Foundation Ireland.

John's Journey

John was introduced to the Traveller Employment Programme at an information session held by Coolmine Therapeutic Community. John had completed a 9-month drug rehabilitation programme with Coolmine and was now engaged with a Community Employment (CE) scheme.

John was very keen in building his employability by engaging in a volunteer role and a training course as well as his CE. John aimed to progress into paid employment but was unsure how or where to start his journey. He completed a CV with his BITCI Job Coach, discussed his interest areas and commenced job seeking himself. BITCI linked him with Mr Price retailer whereby John submitted a CV.

Within a week John had done an interview and been offered a part-time role. John thrived in the role but had a number of issues around tax and his social welfare payment. He needed to change social welfare payments and processing this transition led to John receiving no social welfare payment for several weeks. Simultaneously he was being taxed at emergency rates which put him under huge financial pressure to provide for his partner and young child.

John spoke with his BITCI Job Coach about the challenges and was supported with money for bus tickets to help the situation until his payments were sorted. This eased the costs of attending work and allowed John to remain in employment. The relationship between BITCI and Mr Price has deepened too leading to them hiring other job seekers from our other programmes.

Get in touch:

    The Traveller Employment Programme is funded  through Community Foundation for Ireland.

    Are you a Jobseeker?

    If you are a jobseeker and need more information, please contact Annmarie McDonnell or Lyndsey O’Neill to find out more about our Traveller Employment programme.

    Does your business want to help create a more inclusive Ireland?

    Learn how your company can become an inclusive employer.

    Annmarie McDonnell
    Annmarie McDonnell
    Job Coach
    Lyndsey O’Neill
    Lyndsey O’Neill
    Traveller Employment Programme Coordinator