The technology industry has a talent problem; not a shortage of potential but rather a shortage of access. Too many people who have the drive, the curiosity, and the capability to build meaningful careers in tech never get the opportunity, because the traditional pathways into the industry do not reach them.
Pathways Inclusion is Datapac’s response to that. It is a structured, organisation-wide initiative built around three pillars: developing routes into technology for people who would not traditionally find their way there, empowering a genuinely inclusive environment once they arrive, and championing the wellbeing and career development that allows them to stay and grow. This programme is central to how Datapac operates as an employer and as a member of the Irish technology community.
Develop Pathways
Reaching people before the traditional hiring process begins. By working with schools, supporting early careers, and opening doors for career changers, our goal is to widen the talent pipeline at every stage, not just at the point of recruitment.
STEM Passport for Inclusion
In 2025, we launched Wexford’s first dedicated STEM Passport for Inclusion Hub at our Enniscorthy headquarters, in partnership with Maynooth University. The programme provides students from underserved backgrounds with a Level 6 STEM qualification, hands-on experience, and mentorship from industry professionals. We contributed laptops to support the hub, with backing from HP and Intel, and committed multi-day volunteering from team members across the business.
The impact has been immediate. 120 girls from Coláiste Bríde are now gaining formal STEM qualifications and direct exposure to career opportunities in technology, many of whom would not have had access to this kind of experience otherwise.
Girls in ICT Roadshow
Each year, coinciding with International Girls in ICT Day, we runs our own Girls in ICT Roadshow, visiting schools across Ireland with a mixed team of our colleagues who share their own journeys into the technology industry. The stories are deliberately varied. Not everyone took the straight path. Some came through degrees, some changed careers, some arrived via routes nobody would have predicted. That variety is the point.
Alongside the personal stories, our recruitment partner Intellect Talent Acquisition and members of our HR team provide practical guidance on CV preparation, interview skills, and what a career in technology can realistically look like. The message is consistent: there is more than one way in, and there is a place for you.
Early Careers
We have been investing in early career development for over two decades. To date, we have invested more than €2.2 million in our Graduate Development Programme, which has welcomed more than 200 graduates from a broad range of disciplines through tailored career tracks designed to develop raw talent into skilled industry professionals. Participants gain hands-on experience, industry-recognised certifications, and the kind of real responsibility that accelerates genuine growth.
Inclusive Entry Pathways
Not everyone who wants to work in technology has followed a conventional route to get there. We actively create pathways for people who are entering the workforce for the first time after second level, those returning after a career break, and experienced professionals from other industries who bring transferable skills and a different perspective. We also champion equitable employment opportunities for people who face additional barriers, including those with disabilities, mental health difficulties, and people in recovery from illness or injury. We believe that diversity of background and experience makes our team stronger, and our hiring approach reflects that belief.
Empower Inclusion
We create an environment where everyone feels genuinely included, heard, and able to contribute fully. This means inclusive hiring practices, meaningful accountability, and channels through which every voice in the organisation can be heard.
Diverse Hiring Practices
The way an organisation hires shapes the kind of organisation it becomes. Working closely with our talent acquisition partner Intellect Talent Acquisition, we have developed inclusive hiring practices designed to remove bias from the recruitment process and focus on transferable skills, potential, and the genuine ability to contribute, rather than rigid requirements that exclude capable people before they get through the door.
Accountability
Our commitment to inclusion is independently verified. Datapac holds Investors in Diversity Silver accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity, awarded on the basis of rigorous external assessment rather than self-declaration. We are proud of this recognition and of the progress it reflects, and we continue to work toward the next level.
Accountability also means listening. Every member of the Datapac team is welcome to join our DE&I advocacy groups, where colleagues come together to share their experiences, raise ideas, and discuss how the company can better champion inclusion across the organisation. The conversations that happen in these groups feed directly into how we evolve our approach, ensuring that the people who experience our culture every day have a genuine voice in shaping it.
Champion Wellbeing
Our long-term investment in the growth, development, and wellbeing of every person in the team, ensuring that the people who join us have every reason to stay, grow, and thrive.
Career Development Pathways
Every member of the Datapac team has access to a structured career development process built around Continuing Performance Conversations, regular one-to-one discussions focused not just on performance but on the individual’s goals, ambitions, and the direction they want their career to take. From these conversations, personalised development pathways are identified and actively supported.
We invest continuously in upskilling and cross-skilling across the organisation, giving our people the opportunity to grow within their current role, move into new areas, or develop capabilities that align with where they want to go, not just where the business needs them to be.
Wellbeing and Community
Pathways Inclusion is underpinned by a genuine commitment to the holistic wellbeing of our people. Our Thrive Wellbeing Programme supports colleagues across all aspects of their lives, from physical and mental health to personal growth and social connection. It is a structured, organisation-wide approach to making sure that every person at Datapac feels supported as a whole person, not just as an employee.
Our Community Contribution Initiative gives every team member three additional paid days each year to volunteer with causes that matter to them personally, reflecting our belief that giving back should not come at a personal cost. Together, these programmes ensure that the wellbeing of our people extends beyond the workplace and into the communities they are part of.
DE&I Awards and Accreditations
What Our Clients Say
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“Evolving Infrastructure...”We had worked with Datapac in the past, and knew that its skilled team was best placed to deliver on our key objectives as technologies continue to advance. Reliable access to Datapac’s experts is invaluable and gives us the peace of mind to focus on delivering value-adding projects for the centre.
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“Night and Day Difference...”Server infrastructure is such a vital part of our IT environment that we needed to go with a partner who would take the time to fully assess our requirements and schedule implementation in a way that supports our operations. Having worked with Datapac on a number of significant projects in the past, they were the obvious choice. The new infrastructure is a night-and-day difference; server downtime is a thing of the past for us
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“We Knew We Could Trust Them...”Having enlisted Datapac’s services in the past, we knew we could trust them to deliver on this next phase of our journey with an overhaul of our IT support processes. The enhanced service gives us the peace of mind and confidence to support and launch innovative new resources for families across Cork.
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“Strategic Partnership...”As our software solution has grown, so too has the amount of data that needs to be stored and secured. Datapac has been a long-time trusted advisor to Kefron, and the team worked closely with us to provide strategic road mapping and deliver this infrastructure upgrade with little to no downtime or interruptions to our business. We can continue to grow Kefron AP at pace with full peace of mind
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“Supported In Every Aspect...”Every aspect of the work we do is supported by the Datapac team. Datapac’s proactive support gives us the confidence to innovate and expand, and this evolution of our strategy will ensure that we can provide an enhanced service for our valued patrons. As an important economic generator for the region, we greatly appreciate Datapac’s commitment to our sustainable future. We look forward to continuing to work with the team over the next number of years.
