DCCI is looking for Graduates to join our Graduate Programme 2026 - 2027

As the Government agency with the remit to advocate for the Design and Craft Community, we can offer a unique and exciting role that will provide you with invaluable experience as you progress on your chosen career path.

In particular, we are seeking one graduate to join our Operations Team, and enter our organisation at a time of exciting change.

We are recruiting for a HR Graduate for our graduate programme on a fixed term contract for 18 months. We need people who are committed, honest, flexible and have potential. We will support you every step of the way. We will give you the opportunity, skills and support to launch your successful career and diversify your skills. Following our graduate programme you will have the knowledge and confidence to build a career in Human Resources.

For candidates who demonstrate strong capability, commitment and potential throughout the programme, there may be scope for continued professional growth and progression within the organisation.

What You Will Be Doing

You will be working with a small but strong team of highly knowledgeable and experienced people giving you the opportunity to develop your skill set and progress your career. You’ll be trained in providing the following HR support and assistance across the organisation in areas such as:

- Co-ordinating end-to-end recruitment administration

- Supporting onboarding and induction of new employees

- Assisting with maintenance of HR records and compliance documentation

- Contributing to learning and development initiatives

- Supporting employee wellbeing and engagement activities

- Assisting with HR reporting, policy updates and internal process improvements

Who We Are Looking For

To be considered for our graduate programme you will need to have graduated in the past two years, with a relevant HR/Business related degree.

We encourage and value different ideas and styles of thinking. We see a mix of experiences and skills as a positive contributor to developing the most innovative ideas. We are looking out for people who take opportunities, those who are keen to learn and develop, intelligent risk takers who are not scared to try new things, and who adapt and move quickly.

What’s in it for you?

At DCCI we work collaboratively to achieve exceptional outcomes and, joining the Graduate Programme is no different. From early on in your career you will have exposure to all areas of human resources, building the foundations of your career by growing skills, knowledge, and behaviours; and building experience and achievements into real expertise.

We support learning and development for everyone, and we are partnered with several academic institutions to provide training and further education. A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go.

This role offers exceptional exposure across the full employee lifecycle and a unique opportunity to learn closely from an experienced HR leadership team within a small and dynamic organisation.

We respect one another and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. You’ll be joining a diverse community and a company that puts its people first and prioritises their wellbeing.

Applications

As part of the selection process, it is mandatory to submit a CV and Covering Letter as we will not process your application without both. In your covering letter we want to know why you are interested in joining DCCI. We would also like to know a little bit more about you as an individual.

What happens next?

If this opportunity suits your career journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Our closing date for graduate applications is 1st July, 2026. There could be a possibility that we close earlier if we have volume applications. We would recommend for you to get an application in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you are successful, you will be invited to attend an interview. This will be an opportunity to meet the team who you could be working with. You will be able to showcase your relevant skills and suitability for the role and, ask any questions on how the team works and what to expect in the role day to day.

This is the next step in your career – apply today!

Email: recruitment@dcci.ie with ‘HR Graduate’ in the subject line

Pay: €28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kilkenny, County Kilkenny: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person