Portlaoise students shine bright at National Young Social Innovators Awards

Students from Portlaoise College achieved national recognition in the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards which took place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin this week.  

The group received the Push Back on Poverty Award for their project entitled ‘BridgeAbility’. To help create more inclusive work placement opportunities for students with ASD and other neurodiversities, the students met with Human Resources departments from multinational companies in their area to discuss developing more flexibility in the interview process and making more workplace accommodations.

Thirty-seven teams from post primary schools throughout Ireland were selected to take part in a rigorous pitching process in April and the 17 overall and individual category winners including the team from Portlaoise College were announced on stage by the Awards co-presenters, broadcaster Zara King and former Hometown boyband member Dayl Cronin.

Commenting on the range and high standard of this year’s entries for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards, CEO of YSI, Roger Warnock, said:  “The incredible quality of ideas submitted this year led to a higher number of teams being selected for the final pitches.  Each one of them demonstrated the creative thinking, passion and teamwork needed to find impactful solutions to social issues affecting their communities.  The support from teachers, parents, families and YSI guides is essential to the successful coordination of these social innovation projects and we’re so grateful to them for their ongoing commitment. 

“It's wonderful to see so many teams at today’s Awards and to recognise their energy and passion.  Our partners and judges are as excited and encouraged by the winning projects as the team at YSI and I have no doubt that the future is in safe hands with these incredible young people from Laois.”