Student Mentoring Programme continues to prove its worth
Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is celebrating another successful year of its Student Mentoring Programme with its annual graduation taking place in Griffith College. This academic year, 23 partnerships between companies and DEIS schools across the country participated with 194 pupils in 5th and 6th year benefitting.
Our Student Mentoring Programme, pairs pupils with individual corporate volunteers, giving students a chance to connect and communicate on an adult level with professionals in the working world, helping to improve confidence, communication, and social skills as well as receiving guidance on CV, interview technique and career-focussed topics.
Andrea Lazenby Simpson, BITCI Head of Education said “We congratulate all the mentors and mentees involved this year, their continued involvement in the programme is a testament to its effectiveness as both the pupils and companies involved get real rewards from it. BITCI celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and our commitment to social inclusion through business involvement in the community has been a key feature of our work since the beginning. It is heartening to see that the interest in our Student Mentoring Programme has grown over the years with many companies with us for a long time.”
Niall Byrne, Mentor, Bank of Ireland said “I joined the Student Mentoring Programme as I am from the area and understand the challenges the students can face when leaving school. It has been very beneficial and rewarding to me to see how the students have grown in confidence over time and to know I’ve played a part in that. It has been great to see them believe they can go on and do well once they apply themselves.”
Tanya Perera St Pauls Secondary School, Greenhills said “Through this programme I gained confidence in myself, as well as small but important skills, such as integrity and how to communicate in a professional, but warm manner. My mentor has taught me not just about work and college, but also about being a good person; being humble, kind and good to everyone around me. What my mentor helped me to achieve is inexplainable. This programme allowed me to break out of my shell and led me to becoming Head Girl in school, as I was able to deliver a speech in confidence in front of my teachers and peers. This is something I never thought I’d be able to do, so I am truly grateful.”
The Student Mentoring programme is an initiative run by Business in the Community Ireland, kindly supported and part funded by basis.point. Over 3,000 students and 2,800 mentors have participated to date.
Today, BITCI also unveiled its new Strategic Plan: Innovate, Collaborate and Transform: BITCI’s Strategy for Impact 2025-2028. This transformational strategy aims for BITCI to expand its impact by redefining its business proposition, leading collective action campaigns and integrating sustainability and social inclusion by pursuing Just Transition principles.
ENDS
Media Contact: June Tinsley – Head of Communications BITCI, jtinsley@bitc.ie, 086 7733221
