April 2009: 150 Schools and Businesses now linked up across Ireland

150 Schools and Businesses now linked up across Ireland

Mayo school is the latest to be linked through Schools' Business Partnership programme

The 150th Schools' Business Partnership link was today (Friday, April 3rd) officially launched at a reception held at Lionbridge Techologies in Co. Mayo.

The Schools' Business Partnership (SBP), an important and innovative programme within the Business in the Community Ireland portfolio, matches companies and local schools throughout Ireland. It aims to add value to the Department of Education and Science's (DES) School Completion Programme. Funded under the National Development Plan, it is the only business to education programme in Ireland that is jointly funded by both business and the DES.

Today's link between Lionbridge Technologies and St. Tiernan's College in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo represents a milestone for the initiative as it represents the 150th such partnership in Ireland between schools and businesses. To date, over 9000 students have been involved in the programme nationally.

Speaking at the launch, Germaine Noonan, SBP Programme Manager said, “In the current challenging climate I want to acknowledge and applaud the commitment that Lionbridge and all our participating companies have demonstrated. Significantly, they have and, are continuing to demonstrate, that corporate responsibility and in the case of this schools programme, community involvement makes good business sense”.

Both Lionbridge and St. Tiernan's will primarily participate in SBP's Skills @ Work programme. Employees of Lionbridge will provide talks to St Tiernan's senior cycle students on ‘A Day in the Life of '; a company overview; CV workshops and interview skills to assist them in their quest for career paths. The students will also be brought on a site visit and witness first hand the many career opportunities that exist in the company.

“St. Tiernan's College is delighted to be invited to participate in such an exciting project and we look forward to developing a close partnership with Lionbridge Technologies”, said Oliver Bolton, Principal of St. Tiernan's.

Paul McBride, Vice President and General Manager of the Global Sourcing & Search division at Lionbridge commented, “We believe that for business to achieve long term success, it must adopt a co-operative approach with all sectors of the community who can benefit from the sharing of skills and experience, to prepare and encourage coming generations to participate in the workplace of the future. Through this partnership with St. Tiernan's, Lionbridge employees will be able to share their skills with students and highlight the positives that education, knowledge creation, and personal development can bring to both their careers and communities. We are looking forward to the programme and wish the Schools Business Partnership the very best in continuing to develop its network of company and local schools links throughout the country”.

Linked schools and companies engage in one or more Schools' Business Partnership modules depending on the resources of the company and the needs of the school and its students. In addition to Skills@ Work, others available include Student Mentoring, Management Excellence for Principals and a Summer Work Placement Programme.

This latest link between Lionbridge and St.Tiernan's represents the fourth business to school link in Mayo. In Westport, Allergan have linked up with Carrowbeg College. Baxter in Castlebar work closely with Scoil Mhuir agus Padraig in Swinford and finally Ballina Beverages and Moyne College are linked in Ballina.

The win-win nature of the programme was reinforced by Pauric O' Grady, Chair, SBP who concluded, “In a very short timespan the Schools' Business Partnership has succeeded in mobilising and supporting Irish industry to engage with its future employees. This flagship programme really has generated tangible benefits for both businesses and students alike.”

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Sarah Harte
Marketing & Membership Executive
Business in the Community Ireland
Tel: + 353 1 874 7232 / Dir: +353 1 874 3827
Mobile: 086 041 2804


Editor's Notes

 Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), founded in 2000, is a unique movement of companies committed to Corporate Responsibility practices. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society in the community, environment, marketplace and workplace.

 Established in 2001, Schools' Business Partnership (SBP) is a flagship programme managed by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). It is conducted in association with Marks & Spencers and supported by Cadburys and Cornmarket.