Careers

From Year 10, a module of Careers Education is available.

This includes:

• Work Experience
• Visiting speakers to the college
• Industry visits
• Programmes to help students identify their skills, interests and personal career paths

Work Experience

Year 12 students go on a week long work placement in October. Students are encouraged to select their own placements in a career area which is of interest to them. We at ICD see work experience as an important tool in preparing students for the world of work, increasing their economic understanding and extending their personal and social skills. It can also be invaluable in helping them decide upon their own career route. Work experience is a scheme which enables our students, whilst still in full time education, to actually do a job under conditions which are as realistic as possible, or attach themselves, as serious observers, to adults doing a job.

Visiting Speakers

We have had a number of visiting speakers to the college:

• The Royal Navy
• East Tyrone College of Further and Higher Education
• Armagh College of Further and Higher Education
• DEL (Department of Employment and Learning)
• Coalisland Training Centre
• Loughry College

Industry Visits

Organised through the BEP (Business Education Partnership), students have had tours of local industries including Tyrone Crystal, Wilsanco Plastics, Powerscreen and Moy Park.

Programmes

A range of programmes are available including:

• 1 day Sentinus Career Planning Skills Day - This takes a fresh, dynamic approach to helping students develop the skills and knowledge required to identify, prepare and plan for their future careers.
• A Careers Convention - Students gain an insight into various careers by speaking to employers from the career of interest to them.
• ‘Interview Skills Day’ - Interviews from local organisations e.g. DEL, Tesco, Dungannon Meats etc. interview Year 12 students. Students are assessed and at the end of the interview, feedback is given.
• ’Improve Interview Skills and Enhance Your Job Prospects’ – students from Loughry College organise workshops for Year 12 students to help with writing a CV, letters of application and improving their interview techniques.

Mary Jo McWilliams is a Careers Adviser employed by Careers Service Northern Ireland. She visits the college one day per week throughout the year and works in partnership with the Careers Teacher to help young people make realistic, informed decisions about their future. At the beginning of Year 12 each student is asked to complete a ‘Getting Connected’ questionnaire. This determines the amount of support the student needs to make decisions about available learning and work options. The students are contacted again throughout Year 12 to participate in group work or for an individual interview.

Students in Year 13 and 14 are seen by Mary Jo on a referral basis. There is also support available for students who are choosing their GCSEs in Year 10.

Rosalind Campbell (Head of Careers)