December 2009: Schools Business Partnership Programme Reaches Target of 158 Schools twinned with Local Irish Businesses Nationwide

Today saw the official launch of the 158th link of the Schools' Business Partnership (SBP) programme at a reception held in Beneavin College, Finglas, Dublin. This link marks a milestone for the programme as it has now achieved the target number of schools paired with business as set out by the Department of Education and Science (DES) upon the programme's inception in 2001.

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. Today's link between Bord Gáis Networks and Beneavin College in Finglas represents the achievement of the strategic goal for the initiative and is representative of many similar links which have been established and maintained through the programme over the last eight years.

Commenting on the milestone, Minister O'Keeffe said, “I congratulate the Schools' Business Partnership on its outstanding achievement of reaching the target of 158 schools now linked with local Irish companies. Over 14,000 students have now been reached and have benefited from the programme. It has been of great assistance to the Department in achieving targets set out in the School Completion Programme and has played a major role in increasing school retention levels. The programme has also been acknowledged on the international stage when I presented on its successes earlier in May this year to the EU Council of Minister in Brussels. This programme only works because of the support of Irish business. Their commitment even in these challenging times is to be applauded. We must also acknowledge the support of teachers and the parents of the students. Staying in school is vital to a young person's development and future opportunities and getting involved in a programme like this can have a huge impact on a young person's life, especially if they are supported by their school and family”.
Both Bord Gáis Networks and Beneavin College will primarily participate in SBP's Skills@Work programme. Employees of Bord Gáis Networks, Finglas will provide talks to Beneavin's senior cycle students on ‘A Day in the Life of a Bord Gáis Employee'; 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 could, potentially, be available to them in a company like Bord Gáis.

Speaking at the event, Joseph Twomey, Principal of Beneavin College said “Beneavin College is delighted at the opportunity afforded to it by the Schools Business Partnership. We look forward to embracing this great chance to enhance education provision in the college through this link with Bord Gáis. The school has, since its inception in 1961,been very progressive in promoting interaction with outside agencies through active links with many local sporting and community organisations, local industries and through former pupils from the business world. In the language of the schools founder, St Jean Baptiste De La Salle, this work of forming partnerships is known as “association” and we in Beneavin are very determined to further promote this value through this new relationship with Bord Gáis.”

Also speaking at the celebratory event, Bord Gáis Chief Executive, John Mullins said: “Bord Gáis is proud to support the School's Business Partnership Programme with Business in the Community Ireland and the Department of Education & Science. Supporting educational initiatives and actively assisting with educational inclusion is imbedded in our Corporate Responsibility programme and to date, we have developed very healthy relationships with 3 schools nationally - Mount Carmel Secondary School, Dublin, Nagle Community College, Mahon, Cork and of course, our recently established partnership with Beneavin College though our Networks unit in Finglas.

"As a leading energy company, we recognise the importance of education at all levels, but especially at secondary school level. In an ever-developing and extremely competitive sector, our innovative and multi-skilled workforce is testament to the solid foundation of an excellent Irish education and we are eager to promote the value of this asset to students at schools with whom we have partnered. We are delighted to assist and support in any way we can the School's Business Partnership Programme and are honoured that our association with Beneavin College marks the milestone 158th Partnership.”

The Schools' Business Partnership (SBP) 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.

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 Principal, Management Excellence for Teachers and a Summer Work Placement Programme.

The win-win nature of the programme was reinforced by Tina Roche, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland who concluded, “Today is an important one for us as we have reached our target of matching 158 schools with local companies. We look forward to increasing the reach of the Schools' Business Partnership in years to come but I am delighted to be able to say a public thank you to companies and schools who have engaged with us to date”.

-Ends-

Photos available upon request
For further information, please contact:
Una O Murchu
01 874 7232
uomurchu@bitc.ie

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 & Spencer and supported by Cadbury Ireland and Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd.

 SBP Programmes offered include:
(a) The Student Mentoring Programme encourages students who are at risk of leaving school early to continue with their studies with the advice of a mentor at a local business. 1,757 mentors and students have participated to date.

(b) The Skills@Work programme invites employees from local businesses to talk to students about real-life skills required in the workforce, such as interview preparation and CV writing. The main programme sponsor is Cadbury Ireland. In the current academic year, 2,773 students are benefiting from this programme this academic year with 13, 717 having participated to date.

(c) The Summer Work Placement Programme, offered in cooperation with the Irish Funds Industry Association, organises short-term job opportunities for students in leading financial services organisations that include PWC, Ernst &Young, Bank of Bermuda and Dexia Bank. The programme also consists of the companies that are matched with schools offering placements to students who have completed the Leaving Certificate. 256 students have been placed since 2001.

(d) The Management Excellence for Principals programme sponsored by Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. facilitates skills sharing between business and school leaders. 445 Principals have participated, which represents 61% of all post primary principals in Ireland. Companies whose senior executives deliver these seminars to small groups of principals include: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Vistakon, Centocor, Donegal Creameries, KPMG, Coillte, National Irish Bank, Diageo, An Post, Anglo Irish Bank, Vhi, élan, One Direct, CRH, Allergan, RTE, Pramerica, Alza, ESB, Intel, The Kerryman, Musgraves, IMI and IBM

(e) The Management Excellence for Teachers programme is a new pilot programme which is in place in 6 schools. Business leaders provide workshop/seminars t whole teaching staffs on topics identified by the teachers such as: teamwork, communication skills, flexibility skills; PR; time management skills; ICT and education; etc.

(e) Some €25.8 billion will be invested in the key areas of training and education through the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

(f) Bord Gáis Networks is currently developing a new Networks Services Centre for its staff in Finglas (Dubber Cross). Construction of this new purpose built, 5,000m2 sustainable, low carbon footprint facility is planned for completion in 2011