September 2008: The Schools' Business Partnership launches Annual Report announcing 140 businesses and schools matched in Ireland

THE SCHOOLS' BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES ANNUAL REPORT ANNOUNCING 140 BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS MATCHED IN IRELAND

The programme now operates in 21 counties and over 9000 students have participated to date.

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe T.D, today (Tuesday, September 23rd) officially launched The Schools' Business Partnership's Annual Report 2007/2008 at a reception held at the Department of Education and Science (DES), Marlborough Street.

The Schools' Business Partnership (SBP), an 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 with assistance from the European Social Fund, it is the only business to education programme in Ireland that is jointly funded by both business and the DES.

Speaking at the launch, Minister O'Keeffe welcomed the report and acknowledged the significant nationwide contribution of the programme, “The Schools' Business Partnership is a unique and innovative programme that provides practical advice and guidance to young people. By harnessing the power of business, it delivers tangible benefits to the education system. It prepares students for the working world and therefore adds value to our economy as it opens up a world of opportunities and career choices.”

The aim of the programme is to encourage students who are at risk of leaving school early to continue with their studies with the advice of business mentors, CV workshops and interview skills sessions, company visits, talks by employers from local businesses and a summer work placement programme.

The latest annual report of the Schools' Business Partnership revealed that 40 new companies in Ireland got involved the programme during 2007/2008 bringing the total number of schools and businesses linked in the country to 140. To date, over 9000 post primary students have participated in the programme.

Speaking at the launch which was also attended by students, parents, teachers and members of the business community, Pauric O'Grady, Chair of the Schools' Business Partnership added, “We inaugurated the Schools' Business Partnership just seven years ago with the objective of encouraging business to engage with and lend their support to the teachers and institutions who were educating their future workforce. The Irish business sector now realise that this is not just the right thing to do but a very important strategic requirement for the long term sustainability of their organisations.”

A participating student, Craig Byrne from Abbey Community College in Co.Wicklow, commented on his experiences of the programme, saying, “As a result of my participation in the programme…I am more determined to get a good Leaving Cert. The Leaving Cert is needed in order to gain a job you like and you will also have a better choice of careers”.

Click here to download The Schools' Business Partnership Annual Report 2007/2008

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