Students from Le Chéile N.S. Roxboro with Fiona McCarthy, HR Executive Director Dell EMEA, Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan T.D. and Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland
Members of the business community and leaders in education in the Mid-West joined Minister Jan O’Sullivan on Friday 6th November at Dell’s Limerick Campus to consider the future of the world of work and to discuss how industry and education combine to inspire young people in the region to maximise their potential.
This unique opportunity was hosted by Dell for Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), which is the largest non-profit organisation in the region, recruiting, training and supporting volunteers from business to facilitate programmes covering themes like employability, financial literacy, the value of studying STEM subjects and entrepreneurship skills for local students.
As part of the event, student entrepreneurs from Desmond College Limerick, who represented Ireland with distinction over the summer at the JA Europe Company of the Year Final, were presented with a memento of their achievement for their school.
In summarising her remarks today Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan T.D said:
“I want to acknowledge the work of Dell in contributing to the wider community – not just in the education sector as we are focussing on here today, but in a range of other initiatives such as supporting the Arts and raising funds for charity. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Dave & all his colleagues for their commitment and innovation in contributing to our community.
Equally, I am delighted to show my support for the work of Junior Achievement Ireland. The reputation it has among school
Entrepreneurs from Guide A Key, Desmond College leaders and other stakeholders has been built over 20 years and continues to go from strength to strength. I believe training volunteers from local businesses to work with students in classrooms is a great way to help the students make a connection between what they are doing in school and the variety of options open to them. I would encourage every suitable organisation to get involved if they can – investing in young people is always worthwhile and with Junior Achievement the volunteers themselves learn as much from the programme as the students!”