EMPLOYMENT and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has hosted the inaugural Careers Academies Graduation to celebrate the success of students across all of the further education colleges.
Career Academies UK is a national charity that helps raise young people’s aspirations and bridge the gap between education and work.
Students follow a two-year programme alongside a further education curriculum, enabling students to progress to further study or the world of work.
The programme aims to raise the aspirations of 16 to 19-yearolds by giving them real life experiences of the workplace.
Speaking at the event at Parliament Buildings, Belfast, Mr Farry said: “These work experience opportunities improve students’ employability skills and therefore improve their employment prospects.
“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 positive 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.”
In previous years, Career Academy students from across the UK attended the graduation ceremonies in London, but the growth in the number of graduates has led to the introduction of regional events.
Sixty students along with parents, family, and local supporters — the businesses who provide visits, lectures, mentors and internships for their local Career Academies students — attended the ceremony.
Among those celebrating success was Jordan Hunter, a student from Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena, who won the Sir Winfried Bischof Student of the Year Award from the Career Academies UK programme.