Second level students from across Ireland are being asked to think beyond mainstream professions when it comes to looking for work experiences as the number of industries where jobs need to be filled are crying out for suitable candidates. The call came from Ciaran Cannon, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills.

“Students that undertake work experience learn valuable skills that are applicable across a range of industries, and learning those skills at an early stage is a vital component in making them more attractive for employers in the future. I would encourage students to take a broad view on where future opportunities for employment lie, because the skills learned now in the workplace will stand you in good stead for your future employment prospects.”
Minister Cannon was speaking at the 2012 National Career Skills Awards, which took place in the Department of Education today (May 22nd). The Awards, which were created to recognise students who show clear progress in the identification of suitable career skills, are run by www.careersportal.ie

The competition has now been running for four years, with over 1,000 students from 223 schools across the country taking part this year. Data from previous years has shown a small percentage of students taking up work placements in the STEM sector but CareersPortal recently announced that the ICT sector is committed to providing over 100 work experience placements through the WorkXperience programme on the CareersPortal website from September onwards.

114 schools made their entries online this year and there were 102 entries ‘as gaeilge’ as students eyed up the special prize for the best winning entry in Irish. Most encouragingly for all those involved the entries covered 480 career titles, given this year’s competition the widest scope for possible career paths seen to date.
The National Career Skills Awards are run by CareersPortal which equip students and career guidance counsellors with information to assist in making informed career choices and the competition is sponsored exclusively by McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland.

Eimear Sinnott of www.careersportal.ie said “The announcement by the ICT sector that it will be offering 100 work placements is a timely boost as we look to direct more and more students towards professions where jobs are currently available. The numbers looking to gain experience in this area is on the rise, and while the popularity of established careers like teaching and medicine still holds, I am heartened to see more and more students thinking ‘outside the box’ when it comes to gaining work experience. This will stand to them in the future.”

She also commended the work of Guidance Counsellors at 2nd level schools and higlighted their particular importance in these difficult economic times. She said that "the support, focus and direction they give to our students, helping them make the best educational and career decisions, while still being mindful and understanding of their individual needs, can not be underestimated."
Details of winners can be viewed on CareersPortal's news story

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