Specialisterne Ireland
ATU Sligo Disability and Learning Support services work in partnership with with Specialisterne Ireland to promote and support the employability of students and graduates of the college.
Specialisterne Ireland is a not-for-profit recruitment consultancy founded by Ability that promotes employment for autistic people and those with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and similar challenges. Specialisterne Ireland equips students with skills to communicate effectively in the workplace and throughout the job application process.
For over a decade, Specialisterne Ireland has worked with companies to develop their hiring practices to enable the inclusivity of neurodiverse people by removing barriers to employment while providing support structures for employees with these challenges. Their team has done an outstanding job proving the business value of hiring talented people who think and communicate differently and by building the capacity for diversity in the workplace.
With their many years of experience and their knowledge of recruitment along with the business sector, a skilled team of experts from Specialisterne Ireland will provide an intensive interview skills programme for our undergraduate students which will include:
- Individual student assessment
- CV preparation and guidance
- Interview training and coaching
Personalised Interview Sessions
Our first group of students started on the specialised programme in May 2021; the programme is now offered annually.
This programme will consist of weekly appointments over a six-week period at no extra cost to the student. Along with personalised interview preparation sessions, Specialisterne Ireland’s team will provide guidance on workplace etiquette and the corporate environment. Following student’s participation in internships for courses that include this option, further support will be provided to incorporate new experiences into interview answers when applying for jobs post-graduation.
For recent ATU Sligo graduates, Specialisterne Ireland will arrange for qualified candidates to be recruited through an autism-friendly process through their employer partnerships. Following a multi-stage assessment process, candidates may be placed in one of the organisation’s partner companies and paid at a full rate for their work. Additionally, employment support will be provided for graduates placed in roles in a partner company as part of this process.
If you require further information about this initiative or would like to get involved, get in touch with Shelley Brady, Disability Officer at ATU Sligo.