April 2008: Students and Businesses honoured at unique Student Mentoring Event

IRISH STUDENTS SERVING “APPRENTICE”SHIP IN IRISH BUSINESS

STUDENTS AND BUSINESSES HONOURED FOR PARTICIPATION IN MENTORING PROGRAMME

Wednesday, April 30th: A unique partnership between the business community and second-level students came to full fruition today with a special ceremony to honour the 181 students and business volunteers who participated in an intensive two year unique Student Mentoring Programme. The Student Mentoring Programme provides students with a mentor in the outside world of work to encourage and assist them through this period. The programme encourages students to stay in school, promotes their self-esteem and develops their awareness of the workplace.

Funded under the National Development Plan, the Student Mentoring Programme is an initiative from the Schools' Business Partnership (SBP), a flagship programme managed by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). The reception to honour the participants was held at the Department of Education and Science, Marlborough Street, Dublin and certificates were presented to students by Denis Casey, CEO of Irish Life & Permanent on behalf of the participating business organisations.

Over the past two years, employees from KPMG, Microsoft, Anglo Irish Bank, Dublin Airport Authority, Irish Life & Permanent, ING Wholesale Banking and Diageo linked up with senior cycle students from CBS Westland Row, Pres Warrenmount, St. Finian's CC, Swords, Patrician College, Finglas, St. Paul's CC, St. Tiernan's, Sandyford, Waterford and James St. CBS, Dublin.

“Mentoring adds real value and support to senior cycle students and provides enjoyable diversity to an employee's working day. The potential for impact all round is quite significant and uundoubtedly, the value for students cannot be underestimated as they tap into the experience, successes and life lessons from their mentors”, said Germaine Noonan, Manager of the Schools' Business Partnership programme.

The mentors and students discuss career options, do work shadowing, learn computer skills and get assistance with CV preparation and interview skills. Regular one-on-one meetings and social events help to build the relationship with the mentors, who provide an invaluable source of guidance and advice on careers and education to their matched student.

The Student Mentoring Programme began in 2001 and this is the 6th group of mentors and students to be awarded their certificates. To date, 1, 238 mentors and students around the country have benefited from this innovative programme.

At the event, participating students described how being mentored helped their self esteem and many recounted how their mentor helped them research different career choices and supported them during the final challenging years of the Leaving Certificate Cycle.

“It was a great experience for me and it has opened up many doors of opportunities. It was such a learning experience to see how Dublin airport runs behind the scenes!” according to student mentee Kelly Rentzke from St. Finian's CC, Swords who was mentored by an employee from the Dublin Airport Authority.

Sarah Finucane, Mentor ING Wholesale Banking added, “At the start this programme was new territory for me. Looking back, the mentoring relationship with my student has really grown. For me personally, it has been very positive to see someone growing in confidence and making responsible decisions for themselves as a result of being supported through mentoring.”

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For further information, please contact:
Moira Horgan, Marketing Communications Manager, Business in the Community Ireland
Tel: 086 172 2105 / 01 874 7232
Email: mhorgan@bitc.ie