Members of the organising committee pictured with Councillor Al McDonnell at the launch.

Over 50 stands confirmed for Mayo Careers Fair

Over 50 stands, including third-level and Post-Leaving Certificate colleges, apprenticeship providers, employers and career service providers, have been confirmed for next Saturday’s Mayo Careers Fair/Aonach Gairme Mhaigh Eo 2020 in the Mayo GMIT Campus, Castlebar.

The event will take place from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. and is free of charge to senior cycle and pre-senior cycle students, their families, teachers, guidance counsellors and lifelong learners.

Confirmed exhibitors include South West Mayo Development Company; Dublin City University; Limerick IT; NUIG; Trinity College Dublin; BIMM; Maynooth University; Accounting Technicians Ireland; Shannon College of Hotel Management; St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth; St. Colman’s (Claremorris) Credit Union Ltd; Hotel Westport; Fáilte Ireland; University of Sunderland; Arcon Recruitment; University College Cork; University of Limerick; MSLETB; GMIT – Galway campus; GMIT – Mayo campus; IT Sligo; Letterkenny IT; Sli Nua Careers; Westport College of Further Education; Marino Institute of Education; Mayo Volunteer Centre; Anne Tobin School of Beauty; Mountbellew Agricultural College; Career Choice; Eunicas; The Maths Tutor; The Educoach; AIB; Next Step forward; UCD; Mayo Recovery College; Mayo Local Employment Service; Athlone Institute of Technology; North Connaught College of Further Education; St Angela’s College, Sligo; ESB Networks; Bank of Ireland; Castlebar College of Further Education; Staffordshire University; Aberystwyth University; PortWest; National Learning Network; Career Navigation Consultants and Yew Tree Consultancy.

A full roster of speakers has also been lined up for various ancillary rooms in the venue throughout the day.

Among the speakers is Dr. Brian Mooney, educational analyst and author of a weekly column in the Irish Times.

Dr Mooney will deliver the most relevant and strategic information required to research career pathways.

His first presentation will take place at 11.15 a.m. and will be repeated throughout the day.

Cepta Mahon of Cookalicious will do cookery demonstrations on quick, affordable and nutritious meals at 11.15 a.m., 12.15 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.

There will be talks on making the transition to adult learning and adult life; jobs of the future; making the most of your college experience; getting a qualification in one year; decision-making and goal-setting for school-leavers and adults; help when you don’t know what to do; grants, scholarships and bursaries; studying abroad; alternative routes to the CAO; new generation apprenticeships; and artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

The running order for all speakers will be finalised this week and can be obtained by emailing mayocareersfair@gmail.com.

“We invite post-primary students from Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Years, and their parents/guardians, teachers and guidance counsellors. Indeed, people from outside the county are more than welcome to come along,” said Pat Howley, chairperson, Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Education & Training Working Group, the organisers of the event.

The fair is supported by Mayo County Council/Mayo.ie; MSLETB; the HSE; Mayo Local Employment Services; Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); GMIT; Údarás na Gaeltachta; South West Mayo Development Company; Mayo LCDC; and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership.

“Our advice to students and their families is to come along on the day and speak with the various representatives from the colleges and other entities,” added Pat.

Six stand spaces are still available. There is no charge to exhibit and you can secure a stand by contacting Deborah Coyle on mayocareersfair@gmail.com or 083 443 1458.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2015-2017 is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative.

For further information, please visit the Pobal Website www.pobal.ie.

The organising committee comprises Pat Howley, Michael Gill, Anne Ronayne, Donal Hoban, Pamela Ní Thaidhg, Declan O’Callaghan, Orlagh Denneny, Tim Rogers, Lorraine Staunton, Deborah Coyle and Liam Horan.