NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We deliver a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives across the Island of Ireland.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Trainer who will play a key role in a transformative cross-border initiative that empowers people with disabilities through skills development, training academies, and meaningful employment pathways.
The successful candidate will provide participants with the highest quality support to enable achievement of skills development and educational aspirations. You will focus on the development, direct delivery, and assessment of academy-based training courses and pre-employment academies. This will include structured, academy-led programmes in key sectors such as; Hospitality and Tourism, Health and Social Care, and the Green Economy.
This role is part of Skills Connect, a project funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
1. Conduct thorough participant inductions, including initial suitability assessments and ongoing formative evaluations, to support tailored learning and development. This may include; Utilising a range of assessment methods to effectively evaluate and evidence the competence and progress of individual participants.
2. Collaborate with participants and Employment Liaison Officers to co-design, implement, and regularly review personalised development plans, whilst reviewing milestone stages of the participant progression journey.
3. Develop and deliver academy-based training programmes aligned with current labour market needs in the Hospitality and Tourism, Health and Social Care, and Green Economy sectors.
4. Design, develop, and deliver accredited skills-based employability training academies by creating comprehensive schemes of work and detailed lesson plans tailored to participant needs, employer skills shortages and industry standards.
5. Ensure the delivery of Skills Connect academies aligns with employer requirements and job entry criteria by actively engaging with strategic job partners to maintain a collaborative and responsive approach.
6. Adhere to the operating procedures and policies of the relevant awarding bodies, including all requirements related to internal and external verification.
7. Deliver Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion training to strengthen the capacity of local employers and communities in fostering inclusive and equitable environments.
8. Demonstrate proficiency in delivering training using a range of multimedia tools, technologies, and equipment to enhance participant engagement and learning outcomes.
9. To Support the monitoring and evaluation of the project by capturing participant progress, maintaining accurate records of attendance, and documenting service outcomes and outputs to track impact and inform reporting internally and externally.
This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.
At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, you’ll benefit from:
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Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days (pro-rata).
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Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
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Wellbeing Support: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.
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Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
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Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.
We are looking for candidates who align with NOW Group’s values, demonstrating flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to empowering participants. Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for social change and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues.
About The Role
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Employment is subject to a check from the Garda Vetting Bureau.
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NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and data protection are available upon request.
Join NOW Group and be part of a team that makes a difference by transforming lives and creating brighter futures.
Required Criteria
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1. A full current driving license and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling pro-posals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a license.
- 2. Leaving Certificate in English and Maths or equivalent.
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3. Minimum of 1 year’s paid experience in direct provision training.
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4. Experience of delivering training in one of the following vocational areas; Customer Service; Catering & Hospitality; Employability; Health and Social Care
- 5. Minium of 1 year’s paid experience delivering accredited training programmes to either: Children or young people Adults with barriers to learning Participants with learning disabilities/difficulties
- 6. Proven experience of working with Awarding Bodies.
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7. Experience of assessment and moderation.
8. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
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Desired Criteria
1. Hold Internal verifier/ moderator qualifications
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.
One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.
The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.
We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.
In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.
What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Company Benefits
Benefits at NOW Group
NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.
To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.
Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities
Salary
€38,000.00 per year
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