Photo gallery: Local Training Initiative Appreciation Ceremony
We celebrated the achievements of this year’s Local Training Initiative (LTI) participants at an appreciation ceremony held last week in Keadeen Hotel.
The event brought together family, friends, service users and staff to mark the completion of the 2025–2026 LTI programme and recognise the commitment shown by participants over the past year.
The LTI has been part of Kare for more than 25 years and is run in partnership with the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). Fully-funded by KWETB, it provides a QQI Level 5 Major Award in Intellectual Disability Practice through a combination of taught modules, work placements and practical learning in Kare services.
Alongside the QQI qualification, this year’s 13 successful participants completed essential training, took part in job-seeking workshops and gained hands-on experience supporting people with intellectual disabilities in real service settings.
The programme continues to support strong progression into the social care sector. Of this year’s completing group, 11 participants have secured permanent roles with Kare, one has progressed to further education and one has moved on to our Community Employment scheme.
The learners came to the LTI from a wide range of backgrounds, including hairdressing, retail, childcare, construction and events. For many, the programme offered a first step into social care, giving them the opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills and learn directly from staff and service users across Kare.
Kare CEO Margaret O’Neill said: “The LTI has long been part of the bedrock of Kare. It is a fantastic way for people to come into social care, get a real feel for the role and gain hands-on experience while working towards a recognised qualification. It is equally rewarding for Kare, because year after year we see participants grow in confidence and skills, and many go on to become valued staff members who make a real difference in the lives of the people we support.”
The success of the LTI is supported by the contribution and generosity of our service users, who play a central role in participants’ learning. Through everyday interactions and direct feedback, learners gain a deeper understanding of person-centred support, dignity and choice.
Since beginning as a two-year pilot programme, our LTI programme has continued to evolve through partnerships with CELT, FÁS, SOLAS and now KWETB. Many former participants are still working with Kare today, reflecting the lasting value of the programme for learners, for the organisation and for the people we support.
