Senior cycle and pre-senior cycle students, and their families, are invited to attend the Mayo Careers Fair 2019, in GMIT, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, on Saturday, January 12 (11am to 3pm).

The list of guest speakers will be announced closer to the time, with the organisers ensuring exhibitors, students and families that it will be an excellent event.

“For the last few years, there have been successful annual Careers Fairs in Co. Mayo – one in Davitt College, Castlebar, hosted by the school and the Mayo Local Community Development Committee Education & Train Work Group, and another hosted by South Mayo GAA in the McWilliam Park, Claremorris,” said Cora Gilligan, a member of the organising committee.

“This year, both groups have come together to build on the success of previous years by hosting one event, and we are delighted that GMIT have offered to host the event.”

The purpose of Mayo Career Fair 2019 is to arm students and families with key information on the various options available to them upon completing their second-level education. Admission will be free of charge.

Stands from leading CAO universities and colleges will afford students the opportunity to ask key questions about those institutions, entry requirements and employment possibilities. Non-college options will also be presented on the day.

The event is supported by Mayo County Council, Mayo.ie, South Mayo GAA Board, the Mayo GAA Coaching Committee, St Jarlath’s Credit Union (Tuam), St Colman’s Credit Union with offices in Claremorris and Ballinrobe, First Choice Credit Union, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), South West Mayo Development Company and the Mayo North East LEADER Partnership.

The colleges and other bodies attending will be updated here on an ongoing basis http://mayogaa.com/content_page/10018111/  and on https://slinuacareers.com/category/careerevent/. Other details about the event are also available on those pages.

“We invite post-primary students from third, fourth fifth and sixth years, and their parents. Indeed, people from outside the county are more than welcome to come along, and we have had big attendances from neighbouring counties in recent years,” said John Farragher, chairperson, South Mayo GAA board, who is also on the organising committee.

“Our advice to students and their families is to come along on the day and speak with the various representatives from the colleges and other entities.”

Education institutions and private sector bodies can exhibit at the event free of charge, and can do so by obtaining a booking form from Noreen Conway, Coordinator, on noreenconway15@gmail.com.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2015-2017 is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative. For further information, please visit the Pobal Website www.pobal.ie. The support of the South West Mayo Development Company Ltd is also acknowledged.

The organising committee comprises Cora Gilligan, Pat Howley, Michael Gill, Pat McHale, Orla Dennehy, Donal Hoban, Pamela Ní Thaidhg, Maria McHale, Breege Kelly, John Farragher, Kieran Kilkenny, Colm Govin, Liam Horan, Padraic Carolan, TJ Kelly, Michael King, Goran Dunaj and Noreen Conway.