Michael completed a completed a six-week paid placement with Sportique in Magherafelt last summer while continuing his part-time employment with JC Stewart, a local family run independent supermarket owned by DSP Supermarkets.
Throughout the pandemic Michael has been working full-time at JC Stewart. The company has strong links with Northern Regional College, with both the current owner of DSP Pearce Kelly and the store manager, Gary McCulloch, being former students.
Michael explained: “Before the pandemic I was working around three days a week in JC Stewart, but when restrictions were imposed and the store became busier and busier, I was asked to ‘up’ this to five days a week.
“It was daunting initially and the first few weeks especially were extremely busy as people got used to the new measures in place in the store, but it has become ‘normal’ now. We’re wearing PPE equipment like gloves and visors when on the checkouts and there are strict sanitizing measures in place, so it all feels very safe.
“Supermarket workers have been deemed ‘key workers’ throughout the pandemic because we’re providing an essential service, so I’m glad I had already gained some experience here before this all started and I knew what I was doing,” he continued.
“My studies at the College have been really useful and I see so much of the theory I learned being put into practice every day here at JC Stewart. What we’re taught at the College is very relevant and practical, meaning that when I’m in the workplace in the store I have been able to understand why things are being done a certain way.”
Michael now plans to pursue further studies in Business at Ulster University this September and said his time at Northern Regional College was “a great preparation” for going to university.
Grainne Quigley, Business Lecturer at Northern Regional College, said: “In normal circumstances, Michael would have been looking forward to his Career Ready graduation and completing his Level 3 programme but, like hundreds of other young people studying at the College, he showed courage and resilience in stepping forward to help delivery vital frontline services throughout the pandemic.
“Michael is an excellent example of a strong cohort of students coming through the Career Ready programme every year, who graduate having gained the relevant knowledge, skills and experience that enables them to secure employment or progress on to further study at university, should they wish.”