Connect with us

Community

Avista Launches Job Shadow Week 2026 and Calls on Businesses to Get Involved

Published

1 month ago

on

Avista Launches Job Shadow Week 2026 and Calls on Businesses to Get Involved. Ellen Butler (left) and Colette Lynch (right) of Avista with participants of Job Shadow Week 2025 Vincent Flanagan, Marie Ryan, Mary Kehoe, and Matthew McInerney on the set of 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank with Film In Limerick

Avista announce Job Shadow Week 2026, which takes place from Monday, May 18th to Friday, May 22nd, 2026

Meagan Casey in The Odeon, James Hannon in Bus Eireann, Carol-Ann O’ Toole holding some hip replacements in Stryker, Christie Moore giving the thumbs up to job shadow with Sean of Limerick City & County Council

Avista, a person-centred organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities across Co. Limerick, is delighted to announce Job Shadow Week 2026, which takes place from Monday, May 18th to Friday, May 22nd, 2026.

Job Shadow Week is part of Avista’s WorkAbility programme, which is co-funded by Pobal, the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Social Protection, and the European Union.

People with disabilities across Limerick city and county will have the opportunity to experience the world of work by shadowing a workplace mentor as they go about a typical working day. This initiative offers invaluable insight into different roles and industries, supporting participants to build confidence, develop skills, and explore potential career paths.


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement

Last year, businesses from across Limerick took part in the initiative. Carol-Ann O’ Toole from Limerick City had the opportunity to Job Shadow in Stryker and took a lot from the experience. “I went to Stryker in Raheen. It was a lovely place to go to, the people were very friendly and what they do there is very interesting, making things like medical devices. “

The aim of the week is to connect people with disabilities and local employers, highlighting the significant contributions and skills individuals with disabilities can bring to the workplace and their communities. It also supports businesses in breaking down barriers and promoting inclusion.

Matthew McInerney, Mary Kehoe, Marie Ryan, Vincent Flanagan on the set of 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank as part of Job Shadow Week 2025

Participants will have the opportunity to spend one day or more in a workplace during this dedicated week, gaining a close-up understanding of the skills, training, and education required to succeed professionally. Careful job-matching ensures that each participant is placed in a supportive environment suited to their interests and abilities.

Avista WorkAbility Coordinator, Joey Long, said, “We are very excited to see such a great response from businesses in Limerick to date. Avista’s Supported Employment team are always on the lookout for employers big and small. We offer free Disability Awareness Training to employers who wish to further strengthen their workforce, and the positive response is really encouraging. “

Avista is now inviting businesses and organisations of all sizes to take part in Job Shadow Week 2026 and play an active role in creating more inclusive workplaces.

For further information or to discuss how your organisation can participate, please contact:

For further information contact 087 1883520 / 087 6421451 or email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Avista Launches Job Shadow Week 2026 and Calls on Businesses to Get Involved
Mary Kehoe, Vincent Flanagan taking part in Job Shadow Week 2025 with Film in Limerick on the set of 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank
Related Topics:

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.