Companies being sought to deliver education programmes in local DEIS schools

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Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is urging more businesses based in Westmeath and Offaly to become involved in delivering its various education programmes.

These programmes are guaranteed to be a worthwhile employee engagement experience, enabling the company to forge closer links with the local community and help tackle educational disadvantage.

Through its network of regional co-ordinators, BITCI pairs and supports companies' volunteers to deliver education programmes with local DEIS schools.

BITCI offer different education programmes – two operating within the primary school system aimed at improving literacy and numeracy among 2nd and 3rd class pupils. These are delivered in a one-to-one and group-based setting, while the secondary school programmes involve mentorship, workplace visits, sharing career insights and advice and work placements.

All programmes are designed to provide pupils with an improved understanding of the world of work, raise their own career expectations, create a level playing field and increase their self-confidence. Approximately, 5000 pupils across Ireland benefit from these programmes annually.

The collaboration between schools and businesses is a core plank to the work of BITCI whose purpose is to inspire and enable businesses to bring about a sustainable, low carbon economy and an inclusive society where everyone thrives.

Our team of experts work with companies to embed all aspects of sustainability into their business models. We know that when companies invest in community engagement actions strategically rather than in a siloed way, it improves their productivity, employee morale and helps tackle social inequality in their area.

Andrea Lazenby Simpson, BITCI Head of Education, said “Already we run these programmes with a number of local businesses (large and small in size) but now the number of schools keen to participate has increased rapidly.

“We’d like to respond to this demand and ensure more pupils benefit from these programmes but need local companies to join us. So far all feedback from all involved have been really positive so it is a win win experience for all.”

For the company it is an opportunity to give back to their local communities, identify future talent and increase awareness of the workplace. For the school, it leads to improved attendance and engagement by the pupils involved.

Insights from recent evaluations found:

* 100% of volunteers found Time to Read a meaningful employee volunteering experience.

* “An invaluable programme for students to get involved with companies they may not otherwise get the chance to and a great way to develop their skills outside the classroom,” - Principal.

* “It is an opportunity for me to share the life experiences and lessons I've learnt with my mentee to hopefully encourage and steer them in their future career paths,” – Mentor

If your company is interested in getting involved, please check out Education Programmes – bitci or email alazenbysimpson@bitc.ie