Senior cycle and pre-senior cycle students and their families will find plenty of long-term benefit at the Mayo Careers Fair / Aonach Gairme Mhaigh Eo 2020, in GMIT, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, on Saturday, January 11^th (11am to 3pm).

An exciting list of guest speakers and topics is being assembled, including Dr Brian Mooney, one of the country’s foremost guidance counsellors and education experts who writes a weekly column in The Irish Times. Further speakers will be announced early in 2020.

The following exhibitors have already committed to hosting stands on the day:

University College Cork; University of Limerick; Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB); Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (Mayo campus); Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (Galway campus); IT Sligo; Letterkenny Institute of Technology; Sli Nua Careers; Westport College of Further Education; Marino Institute of Education; Mayo Volunteer Centre; Anne Tobin School of Beauty; Mountbellew Agricultural College; Career Choice; EUNiCAS; The Maths Tutor; The Educoach; AIB; Dublin City University; Limerick Institute Technology; NUI Galway; Next Step Forward; UCD; Shannon College of Hotel Management; St Patrick’s College, Maynooth; Mayo Recovery College; Mayo Local Employment Service; Athlone Institute of Technology; North Connaught College of Further Education; St Angela’s College Sligo; ESB Networks; Bank of Ireland; Castlebar College of Further Education; Staffordshire University; Aberystwyth University; PortWest; National Learning Network; Career Navigation Consultants; Yew Tree Consultancy; and South West Mayo Development Company.

“We expect an additional 10 or so exhibitors to confirm their attendance which will result in a very busy and informative fair for all who attend,” said Pat Howley, Chairperson, Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Education & Training Working Group.

The purpose of Mayo Careers Fair 2020 is to arm students and families with key information on the various options available to them upon completing their second-level education. Admission is 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 prospects. Non-college options will also be presented on the day.

Among the talks and demonstrations will be Transitioning to adult learning and adult life; Jobs of the future; Help – I don’t know what to do; Quick, affordable and nutritious meals; Making the most of your college experience; Decision-making and goal-setting; New generation apprenticeships; Get a qualification in one year while opening doors to new opportunities; UCAS; CAO; Study in Europe; Grants, scholarships and bursaries. Further talks will also be added to the list.

The event is supported by Mayo County Council/Mayo.ie; MSLETB; the HSE; Mayo Local Employment Services; Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); GMIT; Údarás na Gaeltachta; South West Mayo Development Company; and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership.

“We invite post-primary students from Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Years, and their parents, teachers and guidance counsellors. 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,” added Pat.

“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 Deborah Coyle at mayocareersfair@gmail.com, t: 083 443 1458.

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 organising committee comprises Pat Howley, Michael Gill, Anne Ronayne, Donal Hoban, Pamela Ní Thaidhg, Declan O’Callaghan, Orlagh Denneny, Tim Rogers, Lorraine Staunton, Deborah Coyle and Liam Horan.