Hundreds of Young People Connect with Future Employers and Education Providers

Post-primary students from schools across the Lecale and Ballynahinch areas came together last week at Down Leisure Centre for a large-scale Careers Fair designed to help young people explore their options beyond school. 

From apprenticeships and higher-level training to university courses and local employment opportunities, pupils in Years 12 and 13 were encouraged to think broadly about what their future could look like.

The Careers Fair was organised by Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership in collaboration with the Lecale and Ballynahinch Area Learning Communities. The event enabled pupils to speak directly with employers, universities, colleges and training providers and helped them to identify the wide range of pathways available to them after GCSEs and A-Levels. 

Labour Market Partnerships, funded by the Department for Communities, work across council areas to strengthen links between education, training providers and employers, helping to ensure local people have the skills and opportunities needed to access meaningful employment.

Speaking about the importance of events such as these for our young people, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “Events like this are about giving young people access to real information, real opportunities and real conversations with people working and studying in a wide range of sectors. By bringing together employers, universities, colleges and support organisations in one place, we are helping students to better understand what opportunities exist locally, regionally and further afield and how they can begin to plan the next stage of their journey.”

A diverse range of exhibitors took part, representing industries including engineering, construction, agri-food, health, digital and financial services, alongside further and higher education institutions from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Talking about the event, Mr Steve Pagan, Principal of Shimna Integrated College and Chair of the Lecale Learning Community said, “This event presents a fantastic opportunity for pupils in years 12 and 13 to look at the wide range of possibilities on offer. Not only do we have some of the top universities from Northern Ireland and the South of Ireland but also well-known universities from Scotland and England. 

“Alongside this, students will realise that other routes are available, including courses in regional colleges and Higher-Level Apprenticeships offered through colleges and private providers such as KPMG, Thales and NIE. This conference is about exploring possibilities and awakening interest in new routes to travel".

Mr Paul Marks, Principal of The High School Ballynahinch and Chair of Ballynahinch Learning Community, added, “On Wednesday 4 February, pupils from Assumption Grammar School and The High School Ballynahinch joined pupils from the Lecale Area Learning Community schools at the Down Leisure Centre for a Careers Fair organised by Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership. The event provided senior pupils from all our schools with a fantastic opportunity to meet a whole host of local employers, Further and Higher Education providers and the Careers Service, in order to raise their awareness of the range of options open to them when they complete their school-based education. 

“Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the event and reported that it helped them plan their future career pathways. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership for organising and funding the event which provided an invaluable experience for all the pupils who attended”.

Alongside the exhibition stands, students had the opportunity to access careers guidance, practical advice on securing employment and developing interview skills, as well as information on a range of local training and employability programmes. Enterprise support organisations were also on hand to showcase self-employment and entrepreneurship as exciting and achievable options, inspiring young people to consider starting their own business as a future career pathway.