New Link Between Tallaght Hospital and Mt Seskins School will Prepare Students for Working World
Tallaght Hospital is delighted to announce its link with Mt Seskins School in Tallaght as part of the Schools’ Business Partnership aimed at providing students with work life skills and insights.
Tallaght Hospital is today making a commitment to assist Mt Seskins’ senior cycle students with school completion by providing a firsthand insight into the world of work. As part of the newly established link, students will take 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. This link has been facilitated by the Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) and is an initiative of Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI).
Speaking about the link Helen Taylor, Principal at Mt Seskins said “We are delighted to be establishing this new link with Tallaght Hospital. The Skills @ Work programme proposed by the Schools’ Business Partnership will help our students to identify the connection between education and the future opportunities that may be available. Establishing a rapport with employees from a local business will give great career exposure and open the students’ eyes to what exactly is involved in various jobs or careers on a day to day basis. It will allow them to explore what may be of interest to them and give them a target to aim towards in terms of their education.”
Eilísh Hardiman, Chief Executive of Tallaght Hospital. also said that “Tallaght Hospital are delighted to be partnering with Mt Seskins School to support the students in their final years. Our employees have been eager to volunteer for the programme as they see it as a tangible way to give back something to the local community and local school. We are also encouraging employees to get involved as it is a means they can improve certain work skills such as communication, team building and leadership.’
Fedelma O Farrell, Regional Coordinator for Schools Business Partnership explained that “In BITC Ireland we are delighted to welcome Tallaght Hospital to the growing number of companies participating in our programmes and recognise their commitment to the local community. Links between local businesses and schools can have far reaching benefits for both sides of the link and we look forward to assisting Tallaght Hospital and Mt Seskins Schoolto develop and grow this partnership over the coming years.”
The Skills @ Work programme at Mt Seskins will begin in the coming weeks. During the year employees of Tallaght Hospital will talk to the students about the real-life skills required in the workplace, such as CV writing and interview preparation. They will 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 will also be brought on a site visit to the Hospitaland witness the many career opportunities that exist in the healthcare arena.
Funded under the National Development Plan, The Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) aimed to match 158 post primary schools in Ireland with a local business and achieved that aim in 2009. A new target has been set to partner 40 new schools with local business and these newly established links will begin in 2011.
Ends.
Further information available please contact:
Laoise O’Murchú, Communications and Public Relations Manager, Tallaght Hospital: Tel: (01) 414 5918
Editor’s Notes
§ Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), founded in 2000, is a unique movement of companies committed to Corporate Responsibility practices. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society in the community, environment, marketplace and workplace.
§ Established in 2001, Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) is a flagship programme managed by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). It is conducted in association with Marks & Spencer and supported by Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. and Bord Gáis.
SBP Programmes offered include:
(a) The Student Mentoring Programme encourages students who are at risk of leaving school early to continue with their studies with the advice of a mentor at a local business.
(b) The Skills @ Work programme invites employees from local businesses to talk to students about real-life skills required in the workforce, such as interview preparation and CV writing.
(c) The Summer Work Placement Programme, offered in cooperation with the Irish Funds Industry Association, organises short-term job opportunities for students in leading financial services organisations that include PWC, Ernst &Young, Bank of Bermuda and Dexia Bank. The programme also consists of the companies that are matched with schools offering placements to students who have completed the Leaving Certificate.
(d) The Management Excellence for Principals programme sponsored by Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. facilitates skills sharing between business and school leaders. 445 Principals have participated, which represents 61% of all post primary principals in Ireland. Companies whose senior executives deliver these seminars to small groups of principals include: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Vistakon, Centocor, Donegal Creameries, KPMG, Coillte, National Irish Bank, Diageo, An Post, Anglo Irish Bank, Vhi, élan, One Direct, CRH, Allergan, RTE, Pramerica, Alza, ESB, Intel, The Kerryman, Musgraves, IMI and IBM
(e) The Management Excellence for Teachers programme is a new pilot programme which is in place in 6 schools. Business leaders provide workshop/seminars t whole teaching staffs on topics identified by the teachers such as: teamwork, communication skills, flexibility skills; PR; time management skills; ICT and education; etc.
(f) Time to Read programme for primary schools. This is a new pilot programme where business volunteers provide reading support to children in 1st/2nd class over a 24 week basis. It is being piloted by 6 schools and 6 companies in Ireland and the pilot is being funded by Bord Gáis. The evaluation report will issue in the Autumn with a view to a potential national rollout.
