Cora Gilligan and Michael King talk about Careers Fair with Tommy Marren on Midwest Radio:

Liam Horan introducing the event on Grapevine on CRC.FM radio:

Over 45 stands, including third-level and Post-Leaving Certificate colleges, apprenticeship providers, employers and career service providers, have been confirmed for next Saturday’s (January 12th) Mayo Careers Fair 2019 in GMIT, Castlebar.

The event will take place from 11am to 3pm and is free of charge to senior cycle and pre-senior cycle students, their families, and lifelong learners.

Confirmed exhibitors include Athlone Institute of Technology, Defence Forces, Dublin City University, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Maynooth University, NUI Galway, Ulster University (covers Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown, Magee), University College Dublin, University of Limerick, the Electricity Supply Board, and colleges from England and Wales.

Broadcaster Angelina Nugent, internationally acclaimed sports performance psychologist and coach Gerry Hussey, and guidance counsellor and educational expert Brian Mooney have been confirmed as speakers for the fair.

It is being organised in an innovative joint venture between the South Mayo GAA Board; the Mayo Local Community Development Committee Education & Training Working Group; and the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education & Training Board.

An educational analyst with a weekly column in the Irish Times, Brian Mooney will deliver a comprehensive presentation with the most relevant and strategic information required to research and prepare career pathways.  Angelina Nugent is Sports Editor with Midwest Radio and also works as part of the news team at the station.

Gerry Hussey works with teams and individuals in the worlds of sport, business, education and personal wellness. He has coached many of Ireland’s leading amateur boxers and is widely recognised as one of the key figures behind the country’s Olympic successes in the sport.

“We have had a very enthusiastic response from exhibitors and all the indications are that there will be a huge crowd from around Mayo and beyond. All are welcome”, said John Farragher, chairperson, South Mayo GAA Board.

The event is supported by Mayo County Council; Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC); Mayo.ie; GMIT; Mayo Local Enterprise Office (LEO); Mayo Local Employment Service (LES); Health Service Executive (HSE); Údarás na Gaeltachta; Probation Service; 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, with offices in Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis and Castlebar; the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); South West Mayo Development Company; the Mayo North East LEADER Partnership; and Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB).

A dedicated Facebook page has been created: Facebook.com/MayoCareersFair.

“Apart from Angelina, Gerry and Brian, we have a broad range of speakers who will talk about budgeting for college, grant aid and funding, overseas study options, apprenticeships, mental health care, alternative routes to college and scholarships and bursaries,” said Cora Gilligan, Mayo County Council.

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, Tim Rogers, Denis O’Boyle and Noreen Conway.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. For further information, please visit the Pobal Website www.pobal.ie. The support of the South West Mayo Development Company CLG is also acknowledged.