A-Level students attend careers event

A-Level students attend careers event

13 February 2019

AROUND 550 Year 13 students from local schools attended a careers and further education event at the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick last week.

The students were given the opportunity to discuss some of the courses and careers available to them on completion of their A-Level studies.

Among those present were representatives from 21 universities, regional colleges, Higher Level Apprenticeship providers and the Careers Service.

Mrs Maud Perry, principal of Down High School, said it was a great opportunity for pupils to look at the wide range of possibilities available to them.

“Not only do we have some of the top universities from the North and South of Ireland but also well-known universities from Scotland and England,” she said.

“Alongside this students will realise that other routes are available, including courses in regional colleges and Higher Level Apprenticeships, through colleges and private providers such as PWC and NIE. This conference is about exploring possibilities and awakening interest in new routes to travel”.

The conference, which was organised by the Lecale Learning Community, gave local students the opportunity to find out about subjects, courses and careers in Ireland, England and Scotland.

Organisations taking part included Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, CAFRE, Trinity College, Dublin, Dundalk Institute and South Eastern Regional College.

Representing Scotland were Dundee, Stirling Strathclyde, Abertay and Edinburgh Napier, while from England there were Newcastle University, Northumbria, Liverpool Hope, Southampton, Staffordshire and Liverpool John Moores.

Mr Stephen Glass, co-ordinator for the Lecale Learning Community, commented: “We are delighted to have so many colleges and universities represented who were able talk about courses ranging from animation to zoology.”

Dr Tim Campbell, director of the St Patrick Centre, said: “We are delighted to welcome the students from all the schools across the locality and the very wide range of renowned higher education institutions.”

The Lecale Learning Community is composed of Blackwater Integrated College, Shimna Integrated College, St Malachy’s High School, De La Salle High School, Down High School, Saintfield High School, St Patrick’s Grammar School, Knockevin Special School, St Mary’s High School and the South Eastern Regional College.