DCU Access to the Workplace Evaluation Report
Dublin City University (DCU) Access to the Workplace (ATTW), established in 2019, is a summer internship programme aimed at tackling workplace inequality among underrepresented students.
The programme primarily supports DCU Access students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (90%) and neurodivergent students who are supported by DCU’s Disability and Learning Support Service (10%).
ATTW was developed in response to evidence highlighting that Access students often have limited access to professional work experience compared to their peers. ATTW aims to address this disparity by enhancing students’ professional development and work experience early in their educational journey, providing work placements and professional networking opportunities.
In 2022, research published by the Higher Education Authority further justified the need for this programme. Data from the National Graduate Outcomes Survey (HEA, 2022) revealed that graduates from disadvantaged areas earn less than those from wealthier areas, even with identical degrees and grades.
ATTW is a unique initiative designed to help close this earning gap by offering fully funded, high-quality summer internships to DCU Access students, including those who are neurodivergent. These internships, hosted by some of Ireland’s leading companies, provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in professional settings closely related to their field of study. The overall goal is to provide students with meaningful professional experience related to their degree, thereby boosting their future career prospects, employability and, ultimately, their social mobility.
To prepare students for their placements, ATTW includes a compulsory Work Readiness Programme that develops skills and prepares them for professional settings. This programme offers training in CV writing, interview techniques and workplace etiquette, helping students feel confident before starting their internships.
Students must submit their CVs to the Access to the Workplace Programme Coordinator, who then works to match them with suitable internship placements based on their skills and academic background.
Overall, the ATTW programme provides access and support for Access and neurodivergent students, helping to bridge the gap between university and the workplace. Internships are flexible and offered on site or via hybrid models.
Throughout, the DCU ATTW team maintains contact with employers, providing support and resolving issues to ensure positive and productive experiences. Employers are encouraged to give feedback to improve the programme annually.
ATTW benefits include access to motivated students, promoting diversity and inclusion, and mentoring opportunities for staff. Interns bring fresh ideas and energy, making it rewarding for both sides.
In 2025, the DCU ATTW team commissioned the Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection (EQI) to conduct an independent evaluation of the programme, capturing key outcomes, impacts and challenges for programme stakeholders. The evaluation aimed to provide insights and recommendations to enhance programme development and sustainability.
The EQI research team comprised Dr Anne Rowan, Dr Aideen Cassidy and Professor Joe O’Hara.The research was conducted over a period of nine months, from October 2024 to June 2025.
Research methodology
Informed by a theory of change workshop held with key stakeholders involved in the programme, the evaluation methodology included the delivery of comprehensive surveys and qualitative research methods (interviews and focus groups), targeting two key stakeholder groups: past interns and employers. Representatives from DCU and the ATTW also presented their views and experiences of the programme, which can be found in the main report.
In addition to programme beneficiaries, DCU personnel were interviewed. They highlighted the programmeʼs evolution from an initiative championed by a single individual to one sustained by a dedicated team, reflecting its ongoing success and expansion. Central to this success is the programme’s well-defined purpose and commitment to supporting students who face barriers to achievement. This clarity has contributed to its financial stability, though participants highlighted the continued need for institutional recognition. Key achievements include substantial improvements in students’ career readiness and employability, underpinned by meaningful work placements, skills development and growing philanthropic support – all aligning with DCUʼs mission to transform lives and societies.
Through surveys and focus groups, the evaluation explored the impact of DCU Access to the Workplace on students’ career development, networking skills and employment outcomes.
Career development
The ATTW programme had a significant positive impact on the professional growth of graduates. Students described…
- Immediate, tangible career benefits (69% strongly agree, 26% agree)
- Expanded professional networks (49% strongly agree, 26% agree)
- Greater confidence navigating workplace cultures (68% strongly agree, 24% agree)
- Connections and experiences with lasting impact (41% strongly agree, 35% agree)
The programme created direct pathways to employment, with many participants receiving job offers from their placement organisations or finding employment quickly after graduation. Several described how the experience became a crucial talking point in interviews and significantly enhanced their CVs. One participant mentioned acquiring a job specifically because of skills developed through the programme.
“Without the programme, I wouldn’t have been able to set myself up with a solid portfolio that employers were looking for and I am forever grateful for the experience.”
“After undertaking the programme, I was connected with my current employer and offered permanent work with the company after I graduated from DCU.”
Many participants gained valuable insights into their career preferences, enabling them to make more informed decisions about future education and employment. Some discovered unexpected career paths they had not previously considered.
Increased confidence and networking skills
Students described gaining practical workplace skills that complemented their university education. These included communication, leadership, organisational abilities, and technical skills with industry-specific tools and software. Many emphasised how these skills continue to benefit them years after the programme.
“The programme gave me the confidence in my own capabilities, it allowed me to learn and develop hands on practical skills, working in an office environment and communicating with stakeholders and third-party networks.”
“Developed hard skills with tools and software which continue to use today.”
A recurring theme was the notable increase in self-confidence. Participants described feeling empowered to recognise their abilities, comfortable in professional settings, and more confident during workplace interactions and interviews.
“The programme gave me the confidence to work in an office environment, the opportunity to learn the language of the workplace, and the confidence to do my next interview.”
Asked how well the programme prepared them for the workplace across key skills, students rated the programme for…
- Preparing for workplace norms and professional conduct (79% very well, 15% well)
- Developing technical and industry specific skills (35% very well, 38% well)
- Supporting transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving (68 very well, 26% well)
Responses indicate that the programme is particularly successful at socialising participants into professional environments and helping them understand workplace expectations and norms, as well as supporting transferable skills, which are particularly valuable for early-career professionals who may transition to new roles or industries as their careers progress.
The development of technical and industry-specific skills showed a mixed response pattern, suggesting greater variability in how effectively the programme develops specialised technical skills. This may reflect differences in placement settings, mentor involvement, student expectations or the technical demands of different roles.
Post-graduation employment
The survey data provides critical insights into employment outcomes for DCU ATTW participants. With 71% of respondents reporting securing a full-time job in their field within 6 months of graduation, findings indicate a remarkably high success rate within a relatively short timeframe. Such a strong positive outcome suggests the programme effectively prepares participants for immediate entry into their chosen professional fields.
Only a very small percentage of participants reported still being unemployed at the time of the survey, reflecting a remarkably low unemployment rate among them. The “other” group potentially represents continued education, entrepreneurship, or alternative career paths. This data demonstrates exceptional employment outcomes, with over 90% of participants either employed or pursuing alternative paths, suggesting the programme is highly effective at bridging the gap between university education and professional employment for underrepresented students, though there remains some opportunity to enhance field-specific placement support for the minority who secured employment outside their degree areas.
Focus group findings show that the ATTW programme catalysed participants’ social mobility by delivering a comprehensive framework of opportunities and targeted support mechanisms. The financial assistance provided by the programme enabled participants to dedicate themselves fully to academic pursuits and internship experiences without the burden of concurrent employment, thereby maximising their professional development potential.
“The money that came through really, really helped because I was doing a course where I was working summers and Christmases. I didn’t work the rest of the year.”
Through planned in-person networking events, participants established robust professional connections that proved instrumental in securing employment opportunities, particularly during challenging economic periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Had I have not gone to that networking event, I think my whole career, my whole life would have taken a totally different path.”
The internship delivered contextually relevant practical experience within authentic workplace environments, effectively bridging the transition from an academic environment to professional realities. The programme gave participants a clear edge over their peers, helping them stand out in the competitive job market. This ultimately resulted in making them more attractive to employers and better positioned for acquiring future roles.
“I would be inclined to say that having an internship when I was freshly 18 put me probably leaps and bounds above my fellow peers at, you know, securing gainful employment. I went from working in a corner shop to having an actual office job.”
“Probably one of the biggest changes you can have in your life, you know, is getting used to an office environment, how to, you know, act and how to respond to things. And I feel it prepared me for that and got me ready for that.”
Our focus group described:
Enhancing workplace diversity and culture
Most employers surveyed agreed that DCU Access to the Workplace helped their company increase workforce diversity by providing access to candidates from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Responses revealed significant cultural and organisational benefits for participating employers.
“The DCU students on placement with us brought diverse perspectives and new skills to their teams.”
“For five years, we have welcomed DCU ATTW students to X. It has been an immense pleasure to have them in our company. They’ve been hard-working, helpful, dedicated, eager to learn, and their diverse perspectives have added greatly to the projects they worked on.”
These responses demonstrate that the programme delivers organisational culture benefits beyond just providing additional workforce capacity, including enhancing team dynamics, increasing staff engagement and bringing diverse thinking that improves project outcomes. Consistent positive experiences show that these benefits are sustainable and valuable enough to justify continued investment in the programme.
Value to employers
Employers highlighted the technical capabilities and soft skills that made ATTW participants valuable additions to their organisations.
“The students have brought in new approaches and diverse perspectives. They are also very technically skilled and creative.”
Students contributed fresh thinking, practical technical abilities and creative problem-solving skills, making them valuable contributors to project work. Overall, employer responses suggest that the programme develops well-rounded professionals with the competencies and qualities necessary for success in the modern workplace.
Perspectives on long-term success
Employers provided overwhelmingly positive assessments when asked how effectively the programme prepares interns for long-term professional success. Their testimonials demonstrate how the programme supports professional development by combining practical experience, career exploration, networking opportunities and professional mentorship to build a foundation for future career success.
“Very good – we have had great success with our students. They seem ready and prepared for the workplace when they join us.”
“The DCU ATTW programme provides students with a fantastic opportunity to gain hands on experience in business. Many of the students are getting early insight into a career related to their college course, are building a business network through their colleagues, getting coaching and mentoring from peers and seniors. I have every confidence that the interns that we had will absolutely go on to long-term professional success.”
Evidence gathered from employers suggests that the internship programme has demonstrably enhanced workforce diversity by introducing participants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, effectively dismantling “groupthink”. This approach reflects the organisations’ commitment to inclusivity through the employment of staff from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with neurodivergent perspectives.
“We’re taking positive steps to be more inclusive. It does have a very positive impact.”
Perhaps most significantly, the programme has catalysed a fundamental cultural shift toward genuinely embracing diversity in its fullest sense, including the meaningful integration of non-Irish nationals and neurodivergent individuals, thereby creating a more representative organisational ecosystem that better reflects the wider society it serves.
“Definitely nowadays with neurodiversity that’s so important that, you know, we’re leading the way as role models for employing neurodivergent people and you know, non-binary and different things in relation to that.”
Employer interviews described:
DCU ATTW serves as an exemplary model of how universities and employers can collaborate to create meaningful opportunities for underrepresented students while simultaneously advancing organisational diversity and inclusion objectives. This evaluation demonstrates that the programme not only fulfils its core mission of supporting socio-economically disadvantaged and neurodivergent students but has evolved into a financially sustainable, award-winning initiative that generates transformative outcomes for all stakeholders.
The evidence gathered from multiple stakeholder perspectives reveals a programme that has successfully bridged the critical gap between academic learning and professional employment.
With over 90% of participants securing employment or pursuing alternative pathways post-graduation, the programme demonstrates exceptional effectiveness in preparing underrepresented students for career success. The consistent praise from employers regarding intern quality, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives, combined with their strong commitment to continued participation, underscores the programme’s value as both a talent pipeline and strategic diversity initiative.
Opportunities to maintain the exceptional track record of DCU Access to the Workplace while ensuring sustainable growth and continued excellence include:
- Enhancing pre-placement preparation and expectation management
- Developing targeted employer training and support
- Implementing structured peer and alumni support networks
- Strengthening post-programme career support
- Addressing financial and logistical barriers
- Strengthening quality assurance and communication
- Scaling and sustaining programme excellence
Looking forward, the programme’s continued success will depend on sustained institutional commitment, strategic employer partnerships and ongoing adaptation to meet the evolving needs of both students and the labour market. By addressing the identified challenges while building upon its considerable strengths, the ATTW programme is well-positioned to continue its transformative impact, serving as a beacon for inclusive practice and social mobility through higher education.