Helen Hampsey, Head of Health and Social Care Department explained that the aim of the event was to give the students a good overview of the many employment and HE options in the Health & Social Care and Childcare sectors.
Pupils from Edmund Rice College, Girls’ Model, Glengormley High School, Hazelwood College, Magherafelt High School, Rainey Endowed School and Sperrin Integrated College attended as well as representatives from Queen’s University College, Ulster University, Stranmillis University College and Liverpool John Moores and Cumbria universities. Other stakeholders represented included Early Years, Care, Education and Play Employers’ Forum, Praxis Care, Extern, Head Start Training, Fun to Fit, SureStart and Horizons’ Group and SureStart Abbot’s Cross, Milesian Manor Nursing Home, Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre and Magherafelt Nursey School.
Lorna Houston from the Early Years, Care, Education and Play Employers’ Forum said she was delighted to attend the event.
“It is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about potential careers in the childcare sector and to highlight the different qualifications and progression pathways that are open to anyone interested in working with children.”
Magherafelt High School vice principal Stephen Fleming said that while some sixth formers already have a firm idea of what they want to do, others do not so he welcomed the opportunity for them to talk to staff and other students to find out more about the HE options and employment opportunities. Lesley Whiteside, Principal of Magherafelt Nursery School said she was delighted to attend the event and have an opportunity to talk to students about careers in childcare.
“As part of their course, Childcare students to complete work placements in different Childcare settings and, because of the College’s good relationship with the nursery school, the students often secure placements with us.”
Second year Level 3 Childcare students at Northern Regional College, Ciara Doherty and Emma O’Donnell, are both hoping to secure employment as childcare assistants when they complete their course in June. They spoke to some the visiting students about their own positive experience at the College in Magherafelt.
“I think it’s a great course and I would really recommend it to anyone interested in working with children,” said Ciara.
Alistair Chisholm, who is doing A level Biology, ICT and English at Sperrin Integrated College hopes to study Biomedical Sciences at university next year.
“I think events like this are really useful as you get a chance to find out more about the courses you might be interested in and the kind of opportunities they can lead to.”