Updates from Galway & Mayo
Our Galway based companies tell us what you need to know about being involved with The Schools’ Business Partnership and Martin Loftus of Scoil Muire agus Padraig tells us why he loves being involved in SBP in Mayo.
We asked our Galway based companies to tell us their top 10 reasons to participate in The Schools’ Business Partnership and here’s what they told us:
It’s all about the impact on students…
• Seeing students grow in confidence over the course of the program as a result of getting some coaching and interview experience.
• It is very satisfying to see students who have never had visibility of a large manufacturing company come in and get very enthusiastic about what we do.
• It enables our employees to make a difference where it matters most because we believe education is insurance.
• To give students the opportunity to engage with a business and an insight into “a day in the life” of a professional, will aid them in making an informed decision in relation to continuing their education.
• We appreciate the value of learning and fostering a skilled work force and we are strong believers that education is the foundation for a balanced working life in today’s world.
and it’s great for the company volunteers too!
• For volunteers there is a real feel good factor about having an opportunity to try to make a difference in a young person’s life.
• Can help develop and refine volunteers’ business skills including presentation and interviewing skills as well as improve self-confidence and a sense of well-being.
• Improves motivation & interest in all aspects of work life and generates pride in being part of the company.
• An opportunity to do quality work outside the confines of the day job and raise your own profile within the company.
• Many of our trainees are not long out of formal education and can relate to students preparing for the Leaving Cert who may have apprehension of what their next step should be.
Thanks to everyone in “The West” for giving us your top 10!
60 seconds with….A 5th year student Martin Loftus, Scoil Mhuire agus Padraig, Swinford
Q. What school are you in and what company are you linked to?
A. Scoil Muire agus Padraig and we are linked to Genfitt
Q. What has been your favourite part of the programme so far?
A. The tour of the Genfitt premises. I got to see how the company worked and see what working life was actually like.
Q. Which part of the programme is the most fun for you?
A. Again, the tour. We got to see each individual department and also how they work in unison to form the company as a whole. Each department as important as the last. If one breaks down it causes problems for all the others.
Q. What do you think you have learned from the programme?
A. How to do a good interview, how to prepare a C.V, the background to a big company and how it works.
Q. If I could tell the students in the programme one thing what would it be?
A. Make sure to engage fully with each part of the process. It will benefit you greatly. Make the most of each aspect of each process.
Q. My hope for the future of this programme is…….
A. that it continues. I found it really worthwhile. I would hope that the students coming the year after me would be offered the same chance I was to see and prepare for the working world.
Q. Who is your hero and why?
A. Stephen Gerard, for his 30 yard equaliser in the 2006 F.A Cup Final against West Ham Utd! Also the I.T guy in Genfitt, he really loves his cats and enjoys his work…
