Five schools in County Mayo are twinning with locally based companies to give their students the business edge that will help them to develop their careers when they enter the workforce. That’s according to Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary.
The students are taking part in an innovative Government-backed programme called the Schools Business Partnership that twins schools with major local businesses.
Students from schools involved in the Government’s School Completion Programme have signed up for the Schools Business Partnership plan which aims to develop links between schools and local businesses in supporting inclusion in education.
The schools taking part in the programme in Mayo are as follows: Carrowbeg College, Westport (Allergan ); Coláiste Chomain, Rossport (Shell E&P ); Moyne College, Ballina (Ballina Beverages ); Scoil Mhuire Agus Padraig, Swinford (Baxter Healthcare ); St Tiernan's College, Crossmolina (Lionbridge Technologies ).
“Students are assigned a local business mentor to help them through school, receive advice on CV preparation and interviews, and sign up for work experience,” Minister Calleary explained.
The programme was acknowledged on the international stage when it was presented on its success in May to the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels.
“I am delighted that schools and businesses in Mayo are partnering so well to boost students’ entrepreneurial potential and prepare them for the world of work. The programme only works because of the support of Irish businesses and their commitment in these challenging times is to be applauded. We must also acknowledge the support of teachers and the parents of the students,” he added.
“Staying in school is vital to a young person’s development and life chances. Programmes such as the Schools Business Partnership equip young people with valuable entrepreneurial skills and increase school retention rates,” concluded Minister Calleary.
