Viviane, Open Doors Participant
Open Doors has meant a lot to me. The company helped me return to the job market and this insertion into the market was extremely important. Currently I feel more confident in the work environment, I was able to connect with professionals in the job market, I had the opportunity to make friends which resulted in an improvement in the quality of social life.
Heylove, Open Doors Participant
During my online job search, I expressed to the Open Doors Initiative the challenges I faced as a person with a disability, struggling to find suitable employment. In response, they connected me with the Towards Work project, where I received training on networking and interview preparation, which proved invaluable. Open Doors continued to support me in my job search with work opportunities and guidance, and in August 2023, I got a job offer from Age Action.
What people say about us
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Esmat Ibrahimi
In 2021 when I first came to Ireland, I started my first English language course through Open Doors and by finishing that course, I started my first internship. In 2022, I started my first Diploma with TU Dublin, and it was through Open Doors again. In 2024, I started another job with HRM Search Partners and I still work there as a Marketing Support Administrator. Through the Open Doors programmes and trainings, I developed my communication and networking. Because of the programmes, I met new people and I have learned about the Irish culture and different people’s cultures.
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Charles J. Fowler
I’ve been out of work for quite a while, trying to rebuild my confidence, learn the ropes, learn the tools, meet people. Open Doors introduced me to somebody at LinkedIn to review my profile, this is not a service you normally get directly.
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Fazel Poyah
I want to express my gratitude for the exceptional support I received during my journey with the Open Doors Initiative. The interview skills, training, and mentorship were invaluable, propelling me into a successful work placement at IDA Ireland. Your commitment to fostering professional growth is truly appreciated. I highly recommend ODI to anyone seeking career guidance and meaningful opportunities.
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Yuliia Bunina
During the course, I learned about the Irish job market and realised I needed to improve my CV, interview skills, and professional English. Tina, who was an amazing mentor, helped me create a CV that matched the Irish job market, highlighting my strengths. I wrapped up my training with the Business English course. As a result, my visibility in the job market increased, and I started getting job offers from recruiters on LinkedIn. Eventually, one of those connections led to my current position as a Retail Recruiter in a major Irish/UK supermarket chain. I want to express my deep gratitude to the Open Doors Initiative for their invaluable support to foreign job seekers. Your work is truly life-changing!
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Rory Rafferty
Open Doors has been a fantastic experience for me. The mentorship programme has been superb. The team have done huge work to help outline supportive care for me in my job search. The programme with my mentor from EY was excellent. She is very knowledgeable with her advice which helps in understanding and making decisions. We have made it through a number of sessions and to our luck we have managed to secure a new role. This is a full-time permanent role which is exactly the goal I was looking to achieve from this experience.
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Suzy Mooney
ODI provided me with resources for potential career pathways and opportunities, and gave me advice on tailoring my CV and cover letter to a career path in the social sector. (…) Without the help of ODI, I would not have successfully gotten the job I have today. I am now doing similar work to what ODI do, with Chime, The National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, and am inspired by what ODI have cultivated. I hope to bring what the mentors in ODI taught me during my time as a mentee, to my current role as a Mentor on the Explore Mentoring Programme with Chime.
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Abimbola Awodeyi
ODI is the place to be. For their compassion, for the job opportunities, how to put in your CV, writing your cover letter, interview, decisions, setting goals, setting targets, all of this combined together, it’s a very good thing. It disciplines you, you know that’s where you are in the workplace, you know what to do, and do the right thing.
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Nijat Ahmad
My biggest achievement is that I gained experience in clinical research projects, and I completed my master’s in clinical research in UCD. If you’re struggling in finding a job, or if you have a problem in getting back to education, just get in contact with Open Doors. They are very supportive and very helpful, and they could help you with your dreams and your future path.
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Art Oakes
The Open Doors Initiative have really opened up my eyes to seeing that actually there is a future for me.
Our Supports
Entrepreneurship Course for People with Disabilities
Open Doors offers entrepreneurship courses in collaboration with TU Dublin, both offered at NFQ Level 6 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. The course runs online for 12 weeks, with weekly lectures and guest speakers. Participants are allocated a business mentor to support them in developing their business idea. Two courses are offered annually.
Entrepreneurship Course for People with Disabilities
Open Doors offers an entrepreneurship course for people with disabilities in collaboration with TU Dublin, offered at NFQ Level 6 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. The course runs online for 12 weeks, with weekly lectures and guest speakers. Participants are allocated a business mentor to support them in developing their business idea. The course is offered annually.
Funded by AIB, this course is open to anyone who self-identified as having a disability and wishes to start their own business.
Siún O'Connor, Open Doors Participant
As a result of Open Doors, I’ve been able to set up my production company after doing an entrepreneurship course for people with disabilities thanks to AIB. It’s been kind of life changing, really. The way they structured it and the way they broke it down weekly, I felt capable and I felt like I could complete this task. I just felt like there was a future actually, which I wasn’t feeling at the time. It’s been on my list to set up a production company for years and I just couldn’t. I would get so far and it would just become overwhelming and I couldn’t do it. To have support and to recognise that you need support… so I’d say go for it
RiseUP Programme: Entrepreneurship for Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
RiseUP is an initiative to support entrepreneurs from a migrant or refugee background in Ireland, offered by The Open Doors Initiative, Broadlake, and TU Dublin.
RiseUP is a free programme with tailored supports to entrepreneurs at all stages, divided in three phases:
- StandUP Mnthly webinars for those interested in exploring entrepreneurship as a career opportunity.
- StartUP Individual mentorship, workshops, and access to our advice clinic. Open to early-stage entrepreneurs with validated ideas.
- ScaleUP Tailored support from Broadlake to businesses that are ready to scale.
Mentorship and expert advice is offered by Open Doors partners Broadlake and Enterprise Ireland, as well as experienced entrepreneurs.
To learn more, visit the RiseUP programme page.
Pathways to Progress - for Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
Open Doors also offers a dedicated programme and resource hub to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Ireland to help them improve their employability prospects and better integrate in Ireland.
Since its launch in May 2022, we have provided over 8,000 direct participant engagements through individual support, programmes, workshops, events, training and education.
Towards Work Programme - for People with Disabilities
Open Doors has a dedicated programme and resource hub, Towards Work, which is the central point for people with disabilities in Ireland to access resources and support in your journey towards employment or entrepreneurship.
Whether you are looking for further training and skill development, CV preparation advice, mentorship or accessibility aids, you can access a range of supports leading to successful employment.
Towards Work is funded by the Department of Children, Disability & Equality.
