Graduating With Honours

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

“Everybody needs a mentor” it has a lasting impact that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Inspiring and motivating opening statement by our keynote speaker Barry Slattery, Deputy CEO of the NCCA at our recent Student Mentoring Celebration event. After three years of online events, we were thrilled to finally get back to being in person in the magnificent and auspicious surroundings of the Grand Masonic Lodge in Dublin. March 30th saw students from 14 schools graduate from the student mentoring programme along with the 13 companies that have mentored and supported them. A room full of guests included company representatives, teachers, principals, funders and officials from the Department of Education.

It was a joyous occasion, a real celebration of achievement for the students who have endured so much over the last few years. It was heartening to hear the student voice on the impact and benefits the mentoring programme had on them. Josh Meleady, from “The Brunner” (St. Paul’s CBS, North Brunswick Street) spoke so eloquently about how his mentor from Cornmarket had really helped boost his confidence and become so much more independent. Iris Baci, from Mount Carmel, reiterated this and said the guidance and support she received from her mentor at Cornmarket had made all the difference to her in her final two years of school.

It was a great testament to the confidence and maturity of these students to stand up there and speak in front of such a large crowd. We were so proud of them!

But it’s not just the students who benefit, employee volunteers often state that they get more out of the programme than anyone, the fact that 92% of them would quite happily volunteer again bears this out.

Deirdre Keogh, Community Engagement Manager with SSE and mentor spoke passionately about the benefits of being a mentor, giving something back to the local community, making a difference in a young person’s life and helping them build their future skills. “ A mentor is that someone who is on your side, who supports you”

We are so fortunate to have so many committed and generous mentors, as well as all the dedicated and steadfast companies who support this hugely meaningful initiative.

Mentoring is an impactful programme that gives students a chance to connect and communicate on an adult level with professionals in the working world, helping to improve confidence, communication, and social skills as well as receiving guidance on CV, interview technique and career-focussed topics. At last year’s Celebration event, Minister Foley, Minister for Education, called the programme a “terrific initiative” and went on to say “the link between business and schools can only be for the benefit of our students. This is a superb programme. I am extremely impressed with it.”

Congratulations to the following schools and companies who graduated from the Student Mentoring programme this year:

SSE Ireland & Glenart College

Cornmarket Group Financial Services & St. Paul’s CBS

Cornmarket Group Financial Services & Mount Carmel School

Gifts Direct & James’s Street C.B.S.

Siemens Healthineers & Fingal Community College

Accenture & Bishopstown CS

Fáilte Ireland & St. Joseph’s CBS

Arup Cork & Nagle CC

Godolphin Ireland & St Pauls SS

Horse Racing Ireland & Curragh Post Primary School

Limerick Northern Trust & Coláiste Chiarain

Phillips Medisize – Molex & Mulroy College

Cairn Homes & Rosary College

KPMG & C.B.S. Westland Row

So, if you would like to inspire your future workforce or broaden the horizons of your students please get in touch with programme manager Diane Beckingham at dbeckingham@bitc.ie.

The Student Mentoring programme is supported by basis.point, the Department of Education and TESS.