6th class students from Ennis C.B.S. Primary with Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Johnny Flynn & Clare CoCo volunteer Sean Lenihan
Seventeen Clare County Council employees were recently recognised for their role in teaching Junior Achievement programmes to almost 500 local school children and for giving these students an insight into what it is like to work in Clare County Council.
The schools that benefited from these programmes included Holy Family N.S., Ennis, Ballyea N.S., Scoil Mhainchin, Ennistymon, Clarecastle NS, Lahinch NS, Annagh NS, Liscannor NS, Clouna NS and CBS Primary, Ennis.
Many of the students involved in the project were brought on a ‘School to Work’ day in Clare County Council. They were taken through what happens in various Clare County Council departments and learned about some of the issues that are dealt with on a daily basis. The ‘School to Work’ days have been a great success as the students get to see the various roles that people carry out on site – including in Clare County Council Fire Station, Environmental Laboratories, Library and the Council Chamber. Their curiosity and imaginations were stimulated and they asked some interesting questions during the presentations! The students got to see first-hand the opportunities available to them if they stay on in school and complete their education.
The aim of the project is to inspire and motivate young people to realise their potential by valuing education and understanding how to succeed in the world of work. The Clare County Council business volunteers brought their practical experience to the programmes and shared their own work place experience with the young people, over a period of 5 weeks. They provided encouragement to the students to complete their education and to think about what they would like to do when they leave school.
Councillor James Breen, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, thanked the volunteers for the work that they had done during the year with the students and presented them with certificates in recognition of the effort that they made on the Junior Achievement project.
Ray Fogarty of Junior Achievement said, “Clare County Council volunteers have really gone the extra mile this year by bringing students in to see their facilities and showing them the opportunities that are available to them. The volunteers encouraged the students to complete their education, highlighting that this would result in greater opportunities for them in the future. The feedback from the schools has been excellent and they are already looking forward to running the project again during the next school year!”