All eyes on the Midlands
The spotlight is on students from Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Offaly as they spill the beans on their partnership with Dunbia, Kilbeggan and we grabbed 60 seconds with Sandra O’ Rafferty from St. Fintina’s Post Primary School.
Dylan O’Keeffe, Stephanie Walshe, Sophie Dupuits and Daniel Feehan, Students from Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa share their experience of their Skills @ Work programme…
‘Our 5th year class are taking part in The Schools’ Business Partnership with Dunbia, 
Kilbeggan. We are learning lots of new skills such as teamwork and organisation. As a class we have different jobs assigned to us. Jobs involve having to meet and greet the guest speakers, thank the speakers for visiting our school, take photographs and organise meetings. We are very grateful to Dunbia for giving us such an insight into the working world.
During the programme Dunbia visited our school with employees who have different careers in the company. We had an opportunity to ask the speakers about their careers. We gained information about future careers such as:
• Human Resource Manager
• Health and Safety Officer
• Packaging Supervisor
• Production Manager
It is very important to have a link with businesses in our community. We have gained skills that will benefit us in life. We learned how to produce a C.V., cover letter and how to do a good interview. We are looking forward to the mock interview as it is going to give us an understanding of how to do a good interview.
We hope that this relationship with our school and Dunbia, Kilbeggan will continue in the future as it will benefit other students also’.
60 seconds with… Sandra O’ Rafferty, LCVP Coordinator in St. Fintina’s Post Primary School who are linked with Lagan Cement in Kinnegad Co. Westmeath
Q. What is your favourite part of the programme?
A.The mock interviews
Q. Have you coordinated SBP on behalf of your school previously?
A. No this is the first time
Q. Which part of the programme is the most fun for you?
A. The feedback from students in relation to the mock interviews
Q. What is the biggest challenge?
A. Students meeting deadlines
Q. If I could tell all the students & volunteers in the programme one thing what would it be…
A. …’Keep your deadlines and enjoy the time spent on activities, they provide a valuable learning opportunity’
Q. My hope for the future of the programme is…
A. …’more students avail of the programme’
Thanks Sandra, your 60 seconds are up!
Photos (top to bottom): Students from Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Offaly on a site visit to Dunbia Kilbeggan and Sandra O’ Rafftery from St Fintina’s PP with two of her students.
