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Site Visit, Company Overview and ‘A Day in the Life’ speakers
Students from Portlaoise College visited County Hall on 18 November 2016 and were shown around County Hall and given an overview of what departments are in the County Council and what works are carried out by these Departments.
They also met a number of staff members who explained to them about the path that got them to their current role, about the education they received and other employment that they may have had prior to working for Laois County Council. They also answered any questions raised by the students. The students were told that whatever path they choose in life if they are willing to work hard they will get to where they want to be. Both Speakers and students enjoyed the day.
Students for Portlaoise College on site visit to County Hall, Portlaoise
Skills at Work 2016/2017
The Skills at Work Programme for 2016/2017 will commence with an Introductory Session on Friday 11th November and after that a Site Visit will be organised for the students of Portlaoise College who are taking part in the programme will visit Laois County Council and a number of staff members of the Council will give a short talk on their experiences to date and how they got to where they are now.
This will be followed by CV Preparation and an Interview Preparation Workshop. It is hoped that they will visit the Fire Station in Portlaoise.
Mock Interviews will be organised for each participant and following this a Wrap Session will be given by the students of Portlaoise College giving feedback to the Council and Schools Business Partnership, Business in the Community Ireland. It is expected to be completed by early March 2017.
Skills at Work 2015/2016
The Schools’ Business Partnership
Laois County Council together with The Schools’ Business Partnership and Portlaoise College are operating The ‘Skills @ Work’ programme working with the 5th year students of Portlaoise College. This initiative endeavours to provide a firsthand insight for senior cycle students into the world of work. This is the second year of the programme and it is hoped to continue with the programme in the future.
Over the course of the programme, employees of Laois County Council (from the HR department to the Fire Brigade and everyone in between), provided a number of talks on the background of the organisation, services, roles and responsibilities of staff as well as workshops on CV preparation and interview techniques, finishing off with mock interviews for all the students, conducted by Council staff. The students were also brought on a site visit to Laois County Council and Portlaoise Fire Station, seeing as part of their visits, the various career opportunities that exist within the organisation.
Both Portlaoise College and Laois County Council are incredible supporters of the Schools’ Business Partnership Programme. The commitment and engagement of their staff not only benefits the students, but has far reaching impacts on the local community.
“The impact that this initiative has had on the students is visible right from day one, it generates an interest and motivation for the students to succeed and to continue to work hard on their studies. The partnership with Laois County Council has been invaluable to the school”, said Joe Gleeson, a Coordinator of the programme for Portlaoise College.
‘Laois County Council are delighted to be in partnership with Portlaoise College. Our employees are committed to the programme and they enjoy meeting the students and sharing their career experiences with them. It is also an opportunity for the employees of to gain insight into student life and our educational system.’ Georgina Ireland, Community Services, Laois County Council.
Funded under the National Development Plan, The Schools’ Business Partnership (SBP) has to date matched almost 200 post primary schools in Ireland with a local business.