St Aloysius and Elan join in a novel partnership

Confidence was the recurring feedback word that cropped up time and time again from students at a wrap-up event at St Aloysius College in Athlone last week to mark the conclusion of an initiative that saw a fifth year class paired with Elan to gain an insight into the world of work. St Aloysius College was the only school in Athlone area chosen to participate in the Schools Business Partnership Programme, the only business-to-education programme in Ireland. It is jointly funded by businesses and the Department of Education and Science. Along with opening a window to the world of work for young students, it also aims to encourage young people to stay in school and recognise the value of completing their education. During the programme the 24-strong group visited the Elan site in Monksland, and attended talks by staff where they learned about their varying backgrounds and career options that they could choose to pursue. A CV workshop was also held with Interview Skills sessions. A Goal Setting Workshop also taught the group the importance of setting goals and the techniques involved in achieving them. The final piece of the jigsaw involved the students taking part in a mock interview situation with Elan employees quizzing them in terms of their interest in school and their future career prospects and goals. Addressing the attendance on Wednesday last, student Michael Craughwell outlined the various aspects of the programme to the assembled audience, which included representatives from Elan, The Department of Education and Science and Business in the Community. Fellow student Evan Connolly commented of his experience of the Schools Business Programme: "Six months ago I wouldn't have been able to stand up here and a make a speech", while Darragh Egan speaking of the site visit to Elan, where over 500 people are employed, said it gave everyone a "real insight into the world of work". Outlining the benefits of the mock interview, Robert Downey said it was a very positive experience, making him feel more confident about interviews in the future and the importance of completing his studies to gain the best employment possible. Praising the student's progress, Business in Community Coordinator in the school Katherine Flynn said: "I have never seen such a group to work so well as a team... you pulled out all the stops". Meanwhile, Kate Horton, Regional Coordinator of the Business in the Community Programme, said the group had done the school and teachers proud. "Take the words of wisdom now and put them into practice," she added, thanking Elan for their time and efforts again in 2010, the third year of the project in the school. Doreen Gerety, Senior Director Organisation Development in Elan. highlighted to the students that their achievements in the initiative merited mention in the Elan Annual Report. Another speaker Kevin Brady, Head of Manufacturing in Elan, said he hoped the programme had shown the students a little about working life. "The recession will pass and we need guys like you, motivated to bring the country forward... to a better place. Find an area you're interested in be it science or engineering and pursue it," he advised, adding that the teenage years can be difficult but the benefits of staying in school would be reaped later on in life. Finally, Principal Gearóid Ó Conámha praised the students as mature and "full of confidence, self esteem, motivation and focus", something he wanted them to retain into Leaving Cert year. Thanking Elan and all who helped with the programme, he said there were great benefits to the programme and there were no goals the students could not achieve in the years ahead.