Student Mentoring Celebration 2018
Thursday, May 10th, 2018
On Thursday 12th of April we celebrated the latest graduates from our Student Mentoring Programme. 96 students and 96 mentors from 7 schools and 6 companies, celebrated their achievements at the Law Society, Blackhall Place, D7 with Minister for Education & Skills, Mr Richard Bruton,T.D.
This programme, partners School Completion Programme schools, mainly DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) with a local business which then provides mentors to a number of students in the final two years of post-primary school. The programme is aimed at encouraging students to complete their Leaving Certificate and to give insights into the working world and varying career opportunities.
Minister Richard Bruton; Tomás Sercovich, CEO, BITCI; James Sweeney, Mulroy College; John Everett, Pramerica.
It is part of our on-going work to help businesses have a more positive impact on the communities in which they do business. Since 2000, we have partnered 356 targeted schools with businesses through our range of education programmes. These include the Student Mentoring Programme and also the Skills @ Work initiative. Together, through these programmes, over 40,000 students in Ireland have been impacted.
Minister for Education & Skills, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. attended the event in Dublin to congratulate the latest participants and commented on the success of the programme, “I congratulate all the business volunteers and students on their participation in this programme. Business in the Community Ireland is providing a wonderful example of how businesses can actively engage with schools in their community and make tangible impacts on young peoples’ lives”.
Speaking at the event, previous mentee Richard O’ Kare from CBS Westland Row, Dublin 2, explained the significant impact his mentor Conall O’Halloran, Head of Audit, KPMG had, both on his life and career path. They have remained in contact and Richard continues to appreciate his support to this day. Jodie Howard, Marino College, D3 and James Sweeney, Mulroy College, Donegal, also outlined how their mentors helped them prepare for their Leaving Certificate. While, Mary Daly, Principal, St. Dominic’s College, D10 acknowledged the success of their 10 year business education partnership with Allianz Partners.
Germaine Noonan, Education Programme Manager, BITCI commented: “Businesses have a unique role to play when it comes to mentoring young people as they give a different view of the working world and the options available to students. Businesses themselves benefit as it’s a great way to engage their own employees in the local communities in which they operate”.
The Student Mentoring Programme is part funded by participating businesses and Tusla. In 2017, basis.point* has provided funding to support the expansion of the programme to more schools and students around the country.
For the 2016/2018 programme, employees from the following businesses participated as mentors: Allianz Partners, Diageo, Investec, Limerick IT, Horse Racing Ireland and Pramerica (Donegal). The Schools involved were Presentation SS, Warrenmount, D7; St. Dominic’s College, Ballyfermot; Marino College, Dublin 3; St. John’s De La Salle, Ballyfermot; Mulroy CC, Donegal; Curragh PP, Kildare and Thomond CC, Limerick.
We look forward to our continued partnerships providing an even wider group of students the opportunity to broaden their perspective, build social capital, and their confidence for when it matters most.
Sinead Colreavy, Director, Ernst & Young; Fiona Mulcahy, Independent Director, basis.point; Tomás Sercovich, CEO, BITCI and Germaine Noonan, Programme Manager, BITCI
*basis.point is the Irish Fund Industry’s initiative to make a difference to those in need. basis.point’s aim is to make a real contribution to improving educational opportunities to those in need in Ireland, particularly young people. basis.point provides grants to charities to fund programmes and initiatives that focus on education and which aim to make a sustainable and tangible difference to those that live in poverty.
