The Apprenticeship, Further Training & Local Colleges fair was a huge success in Kildare Town Community School last week with hugely positive feedback from the TY, 5th & 6th year students of the town and their parents.
The visiting students from Athy CS, Curragh Post Primary and Monasterevan were very appreciative of the invitation to attend along with their Guidance Counsellors.
Higher Education Institutions such as Maynooth, Limerick University, TCD, Athlone IT, Waterford IT and Carlow IT and the National College of Ireland were in attendance allowing students to speak with the college representatives about the courses available to them in our nearest third level providers. Students were very interested in the Psychology degree at NCI as it is within their points range and this city centre college is very commutable for them. St Conleths Newbridge, Portlaoise College and the Curragh PP gave students Information about courses at Levels 5 & 6 that would be available to them.
Industries such as Dawn Meats, Pfizer, TEGRAL, Proctor and Gamble, ESB, Logistics Ireland, Sheehy Motors, The Irish Motor industry, Peter Mark, Logistics, Plastics Ireland, TESCO allowed students to see the diverse range of apprenticeship programmes that are available. Students were very taken with representatives from the Defence Forces, the Navy and An Garda Siochana. DIT and KWETB representatives gave students insights into the different apprenticeship programmes they run.
Local companies such as Burke Brothers Joinery, Noel Fay Carpentry, and Heaney Construction shared very interesting insights of careers in the construction industry. Financial Institutions such as Mc Mahon Accountancy, Insurance Institute and Bank of Ireland also offer diverse routes to a career in this sector. Helen from FIT shared details of the 2 apprenticeship programmes on offer in the IT sector with guaranteed jobs upon qualification. The Hospitality sector was represented by local expert Caroline Kelly from the Silken Thomas and the Clonard Court Hotel, both of whom spoke about the shortage of chefs in Ireland and Europe. Equine enthusiasts met with representatives from RACE and Horse Racing Ireland.
'Students benefited from hearing the personal stories of those in attendance and learning about alternate routes to their chosen career’ said the School Guidance Counsellor Ms E Urell, 'There was a wonderful vibe in the school and teachers reported to me how this positivism and enthusiasm translates into studies where students can see the benefit of study and exam results in their future'.
All in all the ‘earn as you learn’ model was opened up to the students of KTCS and surrounding areas.