Cork Chamber has been awarded an Investors in Diversity Bronze Award. The EDI Mark, enables businesses to be known as ‘Investors in Diversity’, providing them with a framework for success over three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. Investors in Diversity Bronze affirms that the Chamber has built a strong foundation to embed Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) across our operations and ensuring we are equipped for the journey of becoming more equitable and inclusive.
To grow and to thrive, Cork must be a genuinely warm and welcoming place of equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. Cork Chamber and the wider business community have a key role to play in diversity, equality and inclusion and this must be demonstrated by actions and not by words alone.
Our Approach
At Cork Chamber, we are committed to championing diversity in our team, in our governance, our operations and in advocacy, events and engagements. We are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development, Goal 5, Gender Equality, but wish to push the wider diversity agenda forwards in parallel. We are pro diversity, and with equal vigour we are anti-racist and anti-discrimination.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion are our guiding principle helping us to determine how to build the best team. Our goal is to create a team where everyone feels like they belong. We do this through an inclusive hiring processes, robust HR policies and procedures and a comprehensive employee wellbeing programme.
We are all on this journey together. We encourage each and every member to actively consider, plan and action a proactive approach to diversity, equality and inclusion in their business.
We encourage you to speak with us about how best to meaningfully evolve this agenda. We encourage you to consider the diversity of your company representation at our events and meetings, and to be proud of every small step that leads to a more equal Cork.
At Cork Chamber we are consistently looking for innovative ways to support the community and create a positive impact. We do this through creating meaningful partnerships.
Ability@Work connects employers and skilled people with different abilities who want to work. They assist companies to be more inclusive when recruiting staff. Cork Chamber believes strongly in supported employment, and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. We have employed through the Ability@work programme and are committed to encouraging Cork companies to do the same. We also sit on the Ability@work Advisory Group. We are excited to be a part of the programmes growing network of employers in Cork who are committed to making our city the Inclusive Capital of Ireland.
At Cork Chamber we are consistently looking for innovative ways to support the community and create a positive impact. We do this through creating meaningful partnerships.
Ability@Work connects employers and skilled people with different abilities who want to work. They assist companies to be more inclusive when recruiting staff. Cork Chamber believes strongly in supported employment, and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. We have employed through the Ability@work programme and are committed to encouraging Cork companies to do the same. We also sit on the Ability@work Advisory Group. We are excited to be a part of the programmes growing network of employers in Cork who are committed to making our city the Inclusive Capital of Ireland.
Cork Access Network
Cork Chamber recognises the challenges and also the opportunities to enhance access and reduce barriers to educational success for all learners across the city. In 2021 Cork Chamber signed up as a committee member of Cork Access Network.
Cork Access Network (CAN) is a new initiative established to co-ordinate efforts to tackle Educational Disadvantage in Cork City as an outcome of the “Leave No-One Behind” webinar held in December 2020. Cork Chamber is committed to making Cork the best place for business and we believe education for all needs to be at the forefront of this vision.
In partnership with Cork Access Network, we are working to enable and enhance access to learning opportunities in Cork City.
Elevate Pledge
Cork Chamber was one of the first 40 businesses and the first not for profit organisation to sign up to the Business in the Community Inclusive Workplace Pledge last year. ‘Elevate’ is Business in the Community Ireland’s new Pledge to support businesses to build more inclusive workplaces. The ultimate ambition of this initiative is for a workforce that is representative of all members of Irish society. By signing up to this Pledge, Irish businesses can demonstrate their commitment to building truly inclusive workplaces, and supporting the broader values of inclusion, equality and opportunity.
Age Friendly Cork City
Cork chamber is pleased to have a diverse range of involvement in projects and initiatives across the region. The Cork Age Friendly City Programme is an alliance of interagency groups comprised of senior management from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors operating in the city working to achieve an Age Friendly city. As a member of the committee Cork Chamber actively represent the business voice promoting steps that encourage an inclusive, accessible and age friendly business environment. Cork was designated an Age Friendly City in April of 2019.
Age Friendly Cork City
Cork chamber is pleased to have a diverse range of involvement in projects and initiatives across the region. The Cork Age Friendly City Programme is an alliance of interagency groups comprised of senior management from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors operating in the city working to achieve an Age Friendly city. As a member of the committee Cork Chamber actively represent the business voice promoting steps that encourage an inclusive, accessible and age friendly business environment. Cork was designated an Age Friendly City in April of 2019.
Age Friendly Cork County Committee Members
Representing the business voice, promoting steps that encourage an inclusive, accessible and age friendly business environment. The alliance is an interagency county group comprised of senior management from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors.
The Cork Age Friendly County Programme is led by the Cork County Age Friendly Alliance, chaired by Mr Niall Healy, Director of Services, Cork County Council. The Alliance brings together senior leaders from the Gardaí, HSE, transport providers, voluntary organisations, third level institutions, individual leaders and members of Cork County Older People’s Council. All of these stakeholders share the vision of improving the quality of life for older people in County Cork.
