Apply Now: Empowering Disabled Graduates Through the WAM Programme

Apply Now: Empowering Disabled Graduates Through the WAM Programme

Dún Laoghaire‑Rathdown County Council is proud to support the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme, run by AHEAD, which is partnering with local authorities nationwide to offer 23 paid graduate‑level roles exclusively for graduates with disabilities.

The employment rate of disabled people in Ireland remains significantly lower than the EU average, despite 22% of the population reporting a disability. The WAM Programme—celebrating its 20‑year anniversary in 2025—aims to close this gap by supporting graduates with disabilities into meaningful employment and helping employers build more inclusive workplaces. Since it began, over 800 graduates have secured paid work through WAM across the public and private sectors, including 41 placements in local authorities in recent years.

Opportunities Available in 2026

This year, 23 positions will be available across 10 participating county councils, offering both open‑role placements tailored to each graduate’s skills and structured roles in areas such as:

• Communications
• Community
• Climate and Environment
• Facilities and Finance
• HR and Housing
• Library Data Analysis
• Local Enterprise
• Smart Cities

What Graduates Say

WAM graduates consistently highlight the programme’s transformative impact:

• Colman described WAM as the opportunity that launched his career:
  “I had the academics but not the experience. WAM gave me that foundation. Since finishing my placement, I’ve always been in employment.”

• Emma shared how WAM rebuilt her confidence:
  “They understood my disability from day one. Everyone was so kind. It gave me the confidence to apply for roles I’d never have applied for before.”

In 2023, 81% of WAM graduates secured full‑time employment following their placement. A recent NDA report also found that in 2024, 56% of public bodies participating in WAM saw graduates progress into permanent roles.

Why WAM Matters

WAM placements provide practical, real‑world experience for graduates while helping employers identify and remove barriers to inclusion. AHEAD reports that 92% of participants gain confidence in their ability to thrive in mainstream workplaces.