Access to Education, Bridge to Employment Initiative. Phase Four.
Thursday 19th of January saw the launch of ‘Vision 2020’, the next phase of the Johnson & Johnson supported programme ‘Access to Education, Bridge to Empolyment‘ at the Ambassador Hotel, Cork. The programme, now in its 11th year, aims to encourage students in Cork City to stay in school and progress to further and higher level education, with a particular focus on STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
‘Access to Education, Bridge to Employment’ works with three schools in the City – Terence McSwiney Community College, North Monastery Secondary School and Mayfield Community School. Partners in the programme include Johnson & Johnson’s Cork based companies: Janssen Sciences Ireland UC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences Unlimited Company, DePuy Synthes; local education partners including Cork Institute of Technology, University College Cork and Cork Education and Training Board, along with Junior Achievement Ireland and Business in the Community, which serve as enabling agencies.
Speaking at the launch held at the Ambassador Hotel, Liz Dooley, Director Operations, Janssen Supply Chain Ireland, said: “Johnson & Johnson is delighted to support the continuation of this programme. It is imperative that we do everything we can to encourage young minds to pursue educational opportunities including higher education. As a past mentor, I have seen the impact you can have on attitudes to industries such as STEM simply by encouraging participation with the subject at a young age.”
The programme aims to support long-term collaboration and partnership amongst business, schools, community-based organisations and parents to help young people build a better future. While student-focused, the programme fully recognises the role of teachers and parents in helping students to reach their full potential. The programme also aims to build student confidence and widen horizons through interaction with significant adults who will mentor them, provide them information and support them in carving out a career path.
Phase Four of the the programme will work with current third year students who will sit their Leaving Certificate in 2020.