Students offered a glimpse into working world

SENIOR cycle students from Loreto College, Crumlin
were treated to a tour of a local company recently as part of a unique
initiative that provides a glimpse into the world of work.

PEI in Ballymount has been distributing medical
devices to Ireland’s healthcare market since 1963. They opened their doors to
the students as part of the Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) Skills@Work
Programme.

The students were given a guided tour of the company’s
facility by employees and gained an insight into the many career opportunities
that exist in the medical device and healthcare industry.

Speaking during the visit Audrey McGivern from PEI’s
HR Department said they were delighted to welcome the students to their
facility.

“We hope that this visit provides the students with an
insight into various careers and what we do here in PEI on day-to-day basis,

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she said.

“I know our employees are very excited to have the students here
after working with them on a number of sessions in the school. This gives them
a chance to show the students their working environment and get them thinking
about potential careers.

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The site visit is one of a number of sessions in the
Skills@Work Programme which also
provides CV workshops,

‘A Day in the
Life’ talks, mock interviews, company overviews, and interview skill techniques
as well as sessions on workplace etiquette and teamwork.

“The Skills@Work programme proposed by the Schools
Business Partnership helps our students to identify the connection between
education and the future opportunities that may be available,

? explained
Sheenagh Maxwell, school coordinator, Loreto College Crumlin.

“The site visit
in particular gives great career exposure and opens the students’ eyes to what
exactly is involved in various jobs or careers. 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.

“The site visit is always one of the highlights for
the students involved in the Skills@Work programme. It gives them a true taste
of the working world and shows them important skills such as workplace
etiquette and expected behaviour in a professional environment, which can be
one of the major adjustments for students to make moving from the education to
the work environment. We are delighted that PEI is involved in the Skills@Work
programme and we look forward to developing the link further with them over the
coming year.

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