Link with business prepares students for working life
Sligo IT is assisting and encouraging Summerhill College senior cycle students with valuable first-hand insight and experience of the working world.
Students took part in the Skills@Work programme, where volunteer employees work with students on CV writing and interview skills and give them an insight in to the array of jobs available to students through ‘A Day in the Life’ session as well as mock interviews conducted by staff at IT Sligo.
The partnership has been facilitated by the Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) and is an initiative of Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI).
The Skills @ Work programme at Summerhill College began last September.
During the year employees have spoken to the students about the real-life skills required in the workplace, such as CV writing and interview preparation.
They ran run ‘A Day in the Life’ session to assist the students in recognising the value of completing the leaving certificate and help them explore possible career paths.
The students were also brought on a site visit to IT Sligo.
Fania Ellison, Regional Coordinator from Business in the Community Ireland said: “This programme broadens horizons, helps students view their future in terms of a career as opposed to just a job and to think outside the box as well as looking at traditional areas.
“It improves student/management/pupil relations and improves their confidence when addressing authority, makes students proud of their school and themselves and it encour- ages them to dwell on their strengths.
“We would love to get more businesses in Sligo to get involved as we have many schools needing a link company.” Funded by the Department of Education and the participating businesses, The Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) has matched 203 post primary schools in Ireland with a local business.