Twenty years of industry-education collaboration was celebrated at a special anniversary event in Citi’s Office on North Wall Quay. The event marked twenty years of partnership between JAI and Citi which has resulted in more than 850 Citi volunteers inspiring and motivating 17,500 students across Dublin.
The morning event was attended by Citi volunteers, educators and students who had been impacted by the work of Citi in their community.
The event attendees experienced first-hand the learning impacts of a Junior Achievement (JA) programme from Aisling Corcoran, a transition year student from Palmerstown Community School, Dublin 20. Aisling had received the ‘JA Enterprise in Action’ programme taught by Citi volunteer Sarah Macasieb. The ‘JA Enterprise in Action’ programme is supported by the Citi Foundation and will reach out to more than 2,000 second level students this school year.
Reflecting on her experience Aisling said: “Our transition year business class spent six weeks learning about entrepreneurship and how to run a business, and what an exciting six weeks it was! We learned the advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship and the traits that a good entrepreneur should have. Sarah did a fantastic job of teaching the class about the skills needed to start up a business which we used when we came up with our own ideas. Sarah really encouraged us to pursue business ideas that we were passionate about. This resulted in many different unique propositions from different teams, ranging from positive mental health key chains to fitness apps.”
Attendees also heard from Citi business volunteer Lauren Lane, who had returned to her old school as a JA student alumna. Lauren underlined the important of role models and giving back as she reflected on receiving a JA programmes during every year of her primary school education in St. James’s Street Primary School, Dublin 8.
Research has borne out that there is a great value in involving volunteers from the working world to help young people make connections between what they are studying in school and the ‘real world’. The importance of role models in helping us learn and develop is fundamental. When caring adults are involved in education, students do better in school and life, adults become empowered, and schools and communities grow stronger.
Hosting the event, Sinead Henshaw, M.D. Operations Business & Chair of Community Affairs Group at Citi, applauded the work of Citi staff in Dublin classrooms, “We are delighted to celebrate 20 years of partnership with JAI and recognise the dedication of Citi staff who have reached out to more than 15,000 students throughout Dublin. It is wonderful to get involved with the local community while empowering the next generation to be the best they can be.”