THE promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects across Northern Ireland’s Career Academies is helping young people max-imise job opportunities, according to the Employment and Learning Minister. Stephen Farry was speaking as host of the Career Academies UK graduation where he presented certificates to over 60 graduates of the Career Academy Programme.
Career Academies UK is a national charity that helps raise young people’s aspirations and bridge the gap between education and the world of work by giving them access to real experience through mentoring, an internship, masterclasses and workplace visits.
There are 11 Career Academies operating across all six further education colleges with a total of 177 students.
Mr Farry said: “I commend the ongoing work of the further education colleges and Career Academies UK in providing these opportunities for students to help bridge the gap between education and work.
“These work experience opportunities improve students’ employability skills and therefore improve their employment pros-pects. Employers also report that engaging with Career Academies has enhanced their own staff development which, in turn, benefits our local economy.
“The students here today have been pos-itive ambassadors for all young people in further education. I am confident that the skills and knowledge they have acquired during the internships through the Career Academies programme will benefit them as they plan their future careers.
“I am particularly impressed with the promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) Academies, which I believe will help to ensure that our young people fully realise the future opportunities in this important area.”
The growth in the number of local grad-uates taking part has led to the introduc-tion of regional graduation events and this is the second Northern Ireland graduation to take place.
Representatives from a network of employers who work in partnership with Career Academies to provide students with work experience, including Caterpillar, Halifax, McAuley Precision, Michelin Tyre Plc, Randox Laboratories, Schrader Electronics, Wrightbus and Autoline Insurance, also attended the event. Further information can be found at: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/further-education.