Leisure centre hosts careers fair

Leisure centre hosts careers fair

14 February 2024

STUDENTS from schools across the district attended a Careers Fair at Down Leisure Centre in Downpatrick last week.

Hosted by Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, students from Downpatrick, Newcastle, Castlewellan, Saintfield and Ballynahinch spoke with representatives from a number of agencies about higher education courses, employment opportunities and suitable pathways available to them. 

Labour Market Partnerships are funded by the Department for Communities and create targeted employment action plans for council areas, fostering collaboration at a local and regional level to support people towards and into work. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Valerie Harte, said the Partnership was delighted to host the event in partnership with the Lecale and Ballynahinch Area Learning Communities.

She said the event provided local fifth and sixth year students with an opportunity to explore future available pathway options, from continuing with their studies to commencing an Apprenticeship or progressing to the world of work. 

“The benefit of speaking face to face with Universities, Colleges, local employers and support organisations all under the one roof is an excellent offering for students”, she said.

Over 45 exhibitors took part in theevent which was attended by over 1,000 students from across 12 schools.

Assumption Grammar School principal, Mr Peter Dobbin, said the careers fair is a great way for students to become inspired and informed about jobs, apprenticeships, youth-friendly employers and further education programmes offered by Universities in Northern Ireland and in the UK. 

The principal, who is also is also chairman of the Ballynahinch Area Learning Community, said students had the opportunity to speak directly to businesses and employers to help them to make informed choices about their future plans.

Blackwater Integrated College principal, Mr Stephen Taylor, who is also chairman of the Lecale Learning Community, the careers event presented a “fantastic opportunity” for pupils in Years 12 and 13 to look at the wide range of possibilities on offer.

“Not only do we have some of the top universities in Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland attending, we also have well-known universities from Scotland and England exhibiting too,:” he continued.

“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 Northern Ireland Electricity. This careers fair is about exploring possibilities and awakening interest in new routes.”

During last week’s event, students also had the opportunity to avail of one-to-one support and advice on next steps, progressing to further or 

higher education or finding a job, writing a CV and preparing for interview from local support agencies including the Careers Service and Interview Skills Coach. 

The South Eastern and Southern Regional Colleges SERC and the Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership provided information regarding training that is available to help people secure jobs. The Go Succeed representatives were also in attendance to offer advice to anyone interested in self-employment as an option or side-line. 

Exhibitors at the Careers Fair included Finnebrogue Artisan, Northern Ireland Electricity, Deli Lites, First Derivative, Queens University, Ulster University, Liverpool John Moore, PwC, Northern Ireland Water, All State, CAFRE, Cyber First, Norbrook and Dundalk Institute of Technology.