For the last 15 years, the Schools’ Business Partnership has worked with schools and companies in Ireland to promote various programmes which address key educational issues. The Skills@Work programme specifically aims to introduce senior cycle students to the world of work and over six sessions, students are provided with the opportunity to learn about the partnering company and its business and to consider careers and further study options available to them when they finish school. Sessions in the Skills@Work programme involve a site visit, CV writing skills, mock interviews, Day in the Life insights and to conclude, the students present their learnings and celebrate their participation in the programme.
St. Farnan’s Post-Primary School in Prosperous is completing the third year of its partnership in the Skills@Work programme in partnership with SAP Ireland. It has proved a most successful collaboration and positive results and analysis of the partnership to date have exceeded the national averages in all areas.
Feedback from the participants has been enthusiastic, with the mock interviews in particular having been regarded as an invaluable experience for young students who recognise that they would never have experienced such invaluable preparation, guidance and feedback in a professional business interview, were it not for their participation in the programme.
Victoria Carroll, coordinator of the partnership for SAP Ireland commented that “the Skills@Work Programme is a superb vehicle through which staff members can actively contribute for the benefit of the school community. SAP has successfully run this programme now for three years and has a very high level of employee participation, with over twenty colleagues, for example, volunteering to engage with the visiting students for the mock-interview sessions. This programme is just as rewarding for the staff members as they can see the interest and ambition in the young minds and they are delighted to be involved”.
Mr. Liam Ryan, Managing Director of SAP Ireland wished the students from St. Farnan’s well during a recent visit to his company’s headquarters.
"I would like to wish the students of St. Farnan’s the best of luck and say never give up, and always believe in your high potential" He had further words of wisdom during his visit to the school on March 9th for the concluding session of the Programme, when he and the School Principal, Mr. Eddie Collins, welcomed invited guests and presented participating students with Certificates of Achievement.
Skills@Work Programme in St. Farnan’s POST PRIMARY
The coordinator of the project for SAP Ireland, Ms. Victoria Carroll, speaking with students from St. Farnan’s following their mock interviews.