Pictured at the launch of the Mayo Careers Fair, which takes place in GMIT, Castlebar, on January 12 next, are the organising committee. Photo: Keith Heneghan

Speakers confirmed for Mayo Careers Fair 2019

BROADCASTER Angelina Nugent, internationally acclaimed sports performance psychologist and coach Gerry Hussey, and guidance counsellor and educational expert Brian Mooney have been confirmed as speakers for a major school-leavers event in Castlebar next month.

The trio will deliver talks at the Mayo Careers Fair 2019 in GMIT, Castlebar, on Saturday, January 12 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m).

Senior cycle and pre-senior cycle students, their families, and lifelong learners are invited to attend the event, which will feature over 40 stands from third-level and Post-Leaving Certificate colleges, apprenticeship providers, employers and career service providers.

Admission to the event is free of charge. It is being organised in an innovative joint venture between the South Mayo GAA Board, the Mayo Local Community Development Committee Education & Train Work Group, and the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education & Training Board.

An educational analyst with a weekly column in the Irish Times, Brian Mooney will deliver a comprehensive presentation with the most relevant and strategic information required to research and prepare career pathways.

Angelina Nugent is sports editor with Midwest Radio and also works as part of the news team at the station.

Gerry Hussey works with teams and individuals in the worlds of sport, business, education and personal wellness. He has coached many of Ireland’s leading amateur boxers and is widely recognised as one of the key figures behind the country’s Olympic successes in the sport.

“This event builds on the success of previous events held separately in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, and Davitt College, Castlebar,” said John Farragher, chairman, South Mayo GAA Board.

“This is an invaluable event for senior cycle students and their families, and, indeed, for lifelong learners, as there will be so many interesting and useful stands and talks on the day,” added Cora Gilligan, Mayo County Council.

“Apart from Angelina, Gerry and Brian, we have a broad range of speakers who will talk about budgeting for college, grant aid and funding, overseas study options, apprenticeships, mental health care, alternative routes to college and scholarships and bursaries.”

The organising committee comprises Cora Gilligan, Pat Howley, Michael Gill, Pat McHale, Orla Dennehy, Donal Hoban, Pamela Ní Thaidhg, Maria McHale, Breege Kelly, John Farragher, Kieran Kilkenny, Colm Govin, Liam Horan, Padraic Carolan, T.J. Kelly, Michael King, Goran Dunaj, Tim Rogers, Denis O’Boyle and Noreen Conway.

Education institutions and private sector bodies can exhibit at the event free of charge, and can do so by obtaining a booking form from Noreen Conway, coordinator, on noreenconway15@gmail.com.

The event is supported by Mayo County Council, Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Mayo.ie, GMIT, Mayo Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Mayo Local Employment Service (LES), Health Service Executive (HSE), Údarás na Gaeltachta, Probation Service, South Mayo GAA Board, the Mayo GAA coaching committee, St. Jarlath’s Credit Union (Tuam), St. Colman’s Credit Union, with offices in Claremorris and Ballinrobe, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), South West Mayo Development Company, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, and Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education & Training Board (MSLETB).