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The EY Refugee Access Programme
The EY Refugee Access Programme is an immersive mentoring and upskilling virtual diversity, equity and inclusion initiative that seeks to break down barriers to access and opportunity in employment.
Join EY RAP
Applications are now closed for 2024.
What is the EY Refugee Access Programme?
The EY Refugee Access Programme (RAP) is a learning and development programme run virtually over 12 weeks, which covers the core skills needed in the professional environment. It is an unpaid opportunity to develop your knowledge, earn EY learning accreditations, and to build your professional network.
What can you expect from the EY Refugee Access Programme?
Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will be:
- Provided with an EY laptop and Internet Modem
- Invited to weekly one day virtual workshops facilitated by EY experts across multiple service lines
- Given access to internal EY learning systems in order to complete self-guided learning and achieve EY accreditation
- Required to complete a Thought Leadership report and presentation at the end of the programme
You will be given an EY support network consisting of;
- Counsellor - a member of the organisation who will guide your development
- Buddy - a member of the organisation who will help with day-to-day queries and help you navigate EY culturally and socially
- Thought Leadership Mentor - a member of the organisation who will support you throughout the Thought Leadership project
Below is a sample of what a week may look like for you during the programme. Please note that while the weekly RAP workshops are required, all other items are self-guided and will be up to you to schedule. The RAP is designed to flexibly fit in with your personal and professional life.
Who are we looking for?
To participate in RAP, we are looking for people who meet the following criteria:
- Have refugee status or be an asylum seeker in Ireland
- Available for at least 3 hours each Friday for the duration of the 12 weeks (March to May) and have some weekday availability (3+ hours) to meet with your circle of support and work on your thought leadership project.
- Have a work permit that is valid from February 2025
- Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
- University degree (bachelor’s degree and above)*
*Please note, If you wish to apply for our Summer Internship programme in June 2025 following successful completion of RAP, we are looking for people who meet the following criteria:
- Minimum level 8 honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- A background and/or interest in professional services is advantageous
What will the application process look like?
There are 3 stages in the RAP application process:
- Stage 1: Applications will open in October and close at the end of November. All applications will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be invited to the next stages of the recruitment process.
- Stage 2: CV review
- Stage 3: Phone screenings
*Successful candidates will be invited to attend a CV and Interview workshop in January.
For interested applicants, you will have an opportunity to apply for our Summer Internship Programme which will start in June 2025. Placement onto the SIP requires application process and successful interview. More info on SIP here.
Impact of the programme
This programme was first launched in 2021 and we have since had 50 participants, 11 of whom are still employed in EY. Many other participants have secured a role in the market. Please read below the impact statements from some of the programme’s participants.
Participant impact statements
- Olena Pykhtina
- Liverson Mdongo
- Tinashe K. Chikunda
- Maureen Njoroge
- Olubunmi Odusola
- Joyce Akama
- Karyna Zakarian
- Joyce Akama
- Bongi Msipa
- Wedson K Thindwa
- Pumla P Mguga
- Anjila Areezo
- Emillia T Chiweshe
- Skha Dube
- Kudakwashe B Katsere
‘I wanted to sincerely thank you for the amazing experience I had with the EY Refugee Access Programme and Thought Leadership Programme.
I was really impacted by the enlightening modules, particularly the ones on strategy and leadership, and the great mentorship. The relationships with peers and the encouraging atmosphere were priceless. The report's creation was difficult yet satisfying, and I will always be grateful for the accolades it garnered.
Although receiving recognition for my report was an honor, the real prize was the voyage.’
‘The DEI Team at EY went the extra mile in ensuring a memorable experience for us participants on the RAP 2024 Programme. Thank you so much for your attentive support as we grappled with the challenge of putting together our Thought Leadership pieces. You were professional and absolutely fantastic. Melissa, Robyn, Sophie and everyone, you guys did your best. Our mentors were carefully selected and became our pillars of strength. I would do this again and again.’
‘This training proved to be extremely useful as it provided me with the necessary skills required in the job market and helped me understand what recruiters look for when hiring.
The program's commitment to social responsibility and diversity is commendable, as it helps promote inclusivity and equality in the workplace. The program provides refugees with access to professional networks, mentorship, and training, all of which helps to develop skills and land a job. By participating in the program, I gained valuable insights into the culture and values of a major global organisation like EY.
Overall, if you are a refugee or asylum seeker looking for employment opportunities and support to integrate into your new community, I believe that the EY RAP could be a great opportunity for you. I would recommend exploring the program further and considering whether it aligns with your goals and aspirations.’
‘I am absolutely thrilled to share the huge impact that the RAP programme has had on my life. RAP gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in the industry. The mentors, counsellors and culture connectors as well as the various people who came to the programme to share different learnings all work together to ensure that as a RAP participant, you learn as well as mingle with people who show you that it is possible to thrive in the corporate world. I got the opportunity to gain learning badges from EY as well as sharpen my research skills by completing a thought leadership project. RAP also opened the door to a summer internship for me and I have gained a lot of real - world working experience which in turn gave me a platform to enter the Irish corporate world.
Overall RAP is absolutely fantastic! It helped restore my confidence in myself as well as enabled me to work in one of the big four!'
‘I am living in Ireland since 2021. I got to know about RAP through my participation in the Integration From Day One Programme by the Irish Refugee Council. As a refugee, it is a challenge accessing job in the corporate world in Ireland and as such it was exhilarating knowing that RAP provides an empowering platform which ultimately serve as a link to crossing the corporate bridge. The twelve week fully packed programme- RAP featured different skill workshops, thought leadership/research, presentation, teaming, mentoring, badge learnings and exposure to real life global work ethics. I got the opportunity to work with all levels of EY workforce ranging from associates to partners across its five business lines. As a first place winner of the Thought Leadership report and presentation, the knowledge and experience gained on RAP in twelve weeks is immeasurable. My previous work experience is boosted, polished, and prepared for the corporate world in Ireland and beyond. RAP is highly recommendable, rightly so!'
‘I’m so delighted to share that this program positively impacted my life as it helped to build my self-confidence and it gave me an opportunity to do my internship which has given me lots of knowledge of how the corporate world. The patience of all volunteers, counsellors and mentors assigned to teach and support us, has made a huge impact in my life as I have learned a lot and gained lots of experience in my area of study. I work with a team that includes me in all they do and this makes me feel included and belongingness which is one of the things that defines EY.’
‘I decided to apply for EY RAP, but to be honest, initially I did not even imagine that I would be selected for participation. This programme gave me tremendous experience of interacting with people in a corporate environment in a new country for me, gave me confidence, introduced me to wonderful, strong and supportive people and upgraded my soft skills.'
‘I’m so delighted to share that this program positively impacted my life as it helped to build my self-confidence and it gave me an opportunity to do my internship which has given me lots of knowledge of how the corporate world. The patience of all volunteers, counsellors and mentors assigned to teach and support us, has made a huge impact in my life as I have learned a lot and gained lots of experience in my area of study. I work with a team that includes me in all they do and this makes me feel included and belongingness which is one of the things that defines EY.’
‘My experience of the Refugee Access Programme was life changing. I went into the programme with low self-esteem and no confidence. As we worked through the various activities, I regained my confidence and I started to believe in myself again. The RAP programme truly changed my life. I enjoyed the journey of self-discovery and the internship after. I hope more people will give it a chance and kick-start their careers.’
‘My RAP experience at EY has been a great journey overall. With lots of learning and meeting people from different departments sharing their experiences and motivating me to keep going, learning how to draft Thought Leadership project and work as a team. I would say it has been quite a journey for growth, and continuous growth. As they say, “hang in there”, and I have never looked back ever since.’
‘It was an amazing experience and I got to know different people and cultures, I would say it has been a journey full of joy’
‘This programme means a lot for me because it has helped me to showcase my skills and abilities. Special thanks to EY for opening professional doors for us’
‘It was always my dream to work for a big cooperate company, when I came to Ireland I had already shelfed that dream because most migrants go to health. I was really happy to be part of this program, because it gave me an opportunity to grow and to learn. I keep learning every day and the experience that I am getting is massive’
‘It gave me the platform to the corporate world in Ireland. It served as a cornerstone for career change and a chance to explore my potential and skillset. The opportunity to network people from different levels within the organisation restored confidence levels I had lost and my counsellor helped me deal with the impostor syndrome and realise that I had it in me. The Thought Leadership exercises gave me the opportunity to research and learn about the impact of climate change and its disastrous effect on every part of the world. Above all, the opportunity to work for one of the Big Fours is unbelievable!’
‘EY RAP helped me to boost my quest towards fulfilling my career plan. It’s a platform that I would encourage one to apply as it offers many opportunities like networking, learning and career growth. Last but not least, it is coordinated by wonderful team whose open door policy and ready to help attitude is commendable’