Introducing work-life skills at Ennis Community College

ENNIS Community College has partnered with Shannon company Avocent to introduce its pupils to work-life skills.

Employees working at Avocent have committed to an initiative which will provide a firsthand insight into the world of work, to senior cycle students from the college as part of the Skills @ Work Programme. 
This programme has been facilitated by the Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) and is an initiative of Business in the Community Ireland (BITC Ireland).
Employees of Avocent will talk to pupils about real-life skills required in the workplace, such as CV writing and interview preparation.  They will run ‘A Day in the Life’ session, amongst others, to assist them in recognising the value of completing the Leaving Certificate and helping to explore possible career paths. 
The pupils will also be taken on a site visit to the Avocent premises in Shannon and witness the many career opportunities that exist in the industry.
“This programme will really help students in fifth year to focus on their strengths and interests and to work towards achieving results that will help them in the next stage of their life, whether it is work or further education. We are looking forward to developing the partnership with Avocent over the coming year,” said Yvonne Walsh, LCVP coordinator at Ennis Community College.
“Avocent are delighted to be partnering with Ennis Community College to support the students in their final years.  Our employees are excited about getting involved and giving the students a taste of our real working lives.  It also gives them an opportunity to develop themselves in areas such as team-building, inter-personal and communication skills,” Barry Healy, HR manager at Avocent noted.
“In BITC Ireland, we are delighted to welcome Avocent to the growing number of companies participating in our programmes and recognise their commitment to the local community.  Considering that Avocent is based in Shannon, we are delighted that the students will gain valuable knowledge of the career paths and job opportunities available in their locality,” Dr Eleanor Walsh, Limerick/Clare regional coordinator SBP added.
Funded under the National Development Plan, the Schools Business Partnership (SBP) aimed to match 158 post primary schools  with a local business and achieved that aim in 2009.