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.
Cork Chamber and SECAD Partnership have launched an exciting new partnership to support a more inclusive and diverse workforce. WorkAbility Cork: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme is an ambitious five-year initiative, running from 2024 to 2028, designed to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Cork. The WorkAbility Cork Programme is designed with three core objectives; Enhancing Employment Prospects, Employer Capacity Building and Fostering Collaboration.
Get Involved: to learn more about the WorkAbility Cork Programme, please contact: Naoimh Frawley, Cork Chamber naoimh@corkchamber.ie or Vicki Kelly, SECAD Partnership vkelly@secad.ie
Cork Chamber and SECAD Partnership have launched an exciting new partnership to support a more inclusive and diverse workforce. WorkAbility Cork: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme is an ambitious five-year initiative, running from 2024 to 2028, designed to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Cork. The WorkAbility Cork Programme is designed with three core objectives; Enhancing Employment Prospects, Employer Capacity Building and Fostering Collaboration.
Get Involved: to learn more about the WorkAbility Cork Programme, please contact: Naoimh Frawley, Cork Chamber naoimh@corkchamber.ie or Vicki Kelly, SECAD Partnership vkelly@secad.ie
Cork Chamber is thrilled support Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) Fáilte Programme. This initiative deeply resonates with our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our communities, particularly within the business sector. One of the significant aspects of the Fáilte Programme is its focus on educating businesses. Through comprehensive online training delivered through H-Training, participants gain invaluable insights into the experiences and needs of families living with autism.
Central to the Fáilte Programme is the awarding of the Fáilte Badge, a symbol of a business’s commitment to creating an autism and service dog friendly environment. By participating in this initiative, businesses play a vital role in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding society where everyone, regardless of their neurodiversity, feels welcomed and valued.
Cork Chamber is thrilled support Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) Fáilte Programme. This initiative deeply resonates with our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our communities, particularly within the business sector. One of the significant aspects of the Fáilte Programme is its focus on educating businesses. Through comprehensive online training delivered through H-Training, participants gain invaluable insights into the experiences and needs of families living with autism.
Central to the Fáilte Programme is the awarding of the Fáilte Badge, a symbol of a business’s commitment to creating an autism and service dog friendly environment. By participating in this initiative, businesses play a vital role in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding society where everyone, regardless of their neurodiversity, feels welcomed and valued.
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.
