The project Bridge Ability, led by Portlaoise College students has secured two national awards.
The students claimed a prize of €1,000 for their school, both awards being achieved amidst fierce competition from thousands of students across the country.
The project aims to bridge the gap that adults with autism face in securing employment.
The project was spurred into action by the staggering statistic that 85% of adults with autism are unemployed.
Teachers Sarah Rowan and James Moloughney commended the BridgeAbility Project team members.
They said: “The team have shown incredible dedication and hard work in their mission to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
“What they’ve accomplished goes beyond what can be learned from textbooks.”
The student’s teacher proudly remarked: “Their achievements, winning two national awards, are a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they’re making in our community.”
The competition, The Young Social Innovation Awards is a competition that has celebrated Youth led social innovation for the past 20 years.
The students pitched their ideas, aiming to solve social issues to a panel of judges under the categories of: ‘Planet Protectors’, ‘Push Back on Poverty’ and ‘Make our World a Safer Place’.
Among the successful group were Alex Toman, Robyn Neylon-Phillips, Cillian Harkin, Shauna McPartland, Sophie Robertson and Kyla Walsh.
