Report calls for body to aid work training for Travellers

The establishment of a central body to champion Travellers' participation in training programmes is among the recommendations of a new study on the community's experience.

The study, Travellers' Experience of Labour Market Programmes (just published by the Equality Authority), examines barriers experienced by Travellers accessing training programmes. A number of such programmes are delivered throughout the State as part of the National Development Plan.

The study was carried out by a firm of occupational psychologists, Pearn Kandola. It finds that Travellers "cannot adequately and fairly participate within mainstream labour market programmes without reasonable accommodation of their particular needs and culture".

However, note the authors, it is not clear who is ultimately responsible for ensuring care is taken "to fully embrace the value of the Traveller community within programme provision".

The main recommendation is that, "as a priority" a central body should be established "with responsibility for championing the participation and progression of Travellers within labour market policy and programme provision".

The report says a lack of acknowledgement of the Traveller culture in the planning and delivery of programmes "is reflected throughout the process from issues such as access \ recruitment procedures".

"Specific measures should be taken to target and encourage the participation of Travellers in programmes," it says. It suggests Travellers be included in designing programme content.

There should be diversity awareness training for those running programmes, such as awareness of the living conditions of Travellers. Employing Travellers in training positions is also recommended. The study also says many programmes' failure to consider Travellers as potential participants may lead to their exclusion in indirect ways through choice of venue or the hours set.

"Attracting participants from minority groups and diverse cultures such as the Traveller community requires creativity and perseverance," say the authors.

"Tactics that might influence the majority community may be virtually useless for attracting applicants from the Traveller community." The use of exclusively "mainstream messages" can send out the message that Travellers are not invited.

Links need to be established between programme providers and Traveller representatives to identify potential employees or trainees, it states.