ARAMARK Expands Access to Job Training

A team of over 100 ARAMARK employees recently rolled up their sleeves, donating their time, energy and expertise to help Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre create an ARAMARK Building Community (ABC) Opportunity Zone, focused on workforce readiness to help youth and adults prepare for jobs and obtain employment.  

The event kicked off a new partnership between the company and Ballyfermot, which provides integrated support and services to isolated and struggling families, and hosts local support groups and return-to-work programs.

ARAMARK organised the day’s event as part of ARAMARK Building Community, the company’s strategic philanthropic and volunteer program. Through ABC, ARAMARK partners with community centres to help prepare adults and teens for work, improve family health and help move people children, adults and families from poverty to success.

“ARAMARK Building Community is all about bringing together the expertise and enthusiasm of our employees to support the local community and encouraging the important role of strengthening neighbourhoods and families. We believe our work here will help facilitate a positive impact on the local Ballyfermot community,” said Donal O‘Brien, CEO ARAMARK Ireland.

Volunteers will transform underutilized rooms into an inspiring and efficient workforce readiness resource area that includes training space for job development workshops and programs, and offices for youth and adults to practice interview skills.  The ARAMARK team will also enhance the centre’s café, which doubles as a hospitality and culinary job training program.

Other parts of the facility will also be enhanced to create an even more welcoming environment for the community. An outdoor seating and dining area will be created adjacent to the café, and volunteers will landscape and enhance the crèche play space for young children. In addition, ARAMARK will launch a return-to-work programme for users of the centre to help people reduce the barriers they face in getting and keeping good jobs.