Young People Celebrate Success at - The Work4UPlus3 Graduation Day
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4Uplus3 programme (funded by the BIG lottery) celebrated their achievements during a recent graduation and activity day at various locations.
We had a girls group attending Bubble Soccer followed by a Low Impact Paint-Balling session, which they thoroughly enjoyed, finished with pizzas.
We had a mixed group of boys and girls who requested a fun Go-Karting experience, which was a very successful outing for the group, followed by Pizzas.
The final two all boy groups came together to enhance the Bubble Soccer and Paint-Balling session, they had a fantastic time, followed by Pizzas,
Pauline Coghlan, Work4Uplus3 programme manager, said: “Each group enjoyed the event of their choice, the young people were presented with their portfolios, containing the qualifications they achieved in Food Safety, Emergency First Aid, ICT, Upholstered foot-stools, Health & safety in a workplace and many other topics. We also had several special awards presented to those young people for Attendance and best improvements.
I know I speak for everyone involved in the programme when I say we wish them every success with their future”.
Visit to MJM Marine
The young people on the Work4Uplus3 programme were delighted to have the opportunity to visit MJM Marine. They were very interested in The Navigate Programme, which accommodates: Apprenticeships, Placements, Graduates and Students.
The Navigate Programme pathways offer unique career journeys for young ambitious talent. MJM Marine are committed to develop skills, expanding horizons and providing practical experience to inspire the next generation of leaders at MJM Marine and nurture a future of possibilities.
The young people experienced a tour of the workshop, where they had the opportunity to meet expert craftspeople and observe work being carried out.
The young men who spoke to the young people received a lot of questions to which they were both open and honest about their working environment, how much they have learned, and that they have enjoyed the experience thus far.
Thank-you very much too all the staff involved in the Study Visit and for being so helpful to our young people.
Study visit – Careers – Pathway – Into Film Prosthetics
Some or our young people completed a full day training session gaining experience with Connie McGrath, Make-Up Artist in the use of Prosthetic Make-Up with 'Into Film' at Screenworks.
The full day session was very beneficial to the group of young people, with each one of them expressing their interest in a future using make-up, they had not realised there where so many options that included the use of make-up.
The idea of a possibility of having a career involving Films and Make-up was beyond their wildest dream and left the session extremely positive about their future.
The Screenworks programme explores careers in the industry sectors of Film. The girls had a fantastic time with Connie introducing them to 'Casualty effects (bruising, wounds, and burns)’.
Thank-you to all involved with the programme as the girls really enjoyed and benefitted from the in-depth training provided.
Upholstery sessions delivered by Master Upholsterer Lewis Watson
The Upholstery sessions were delivered by: Master Upholsterer Lewis Watson, who continues a family tradition of craftsmanship passed down through his father and grandfather, with expertise spanning antique restoration and bespoke furniture making.
A great group of young people from three different organisations took part in the world of Upholstery and produced their own bespoke footstool from scratch.
This activity sought to educate the groups on the basic skills of upholstery including measurements, foam cutting, sticking, webbing, buttoning etc. This training will open up job opportunities while equipping the young people with numerous transferable skills. The participants learnt how to safely operate a number of tools and the button maker effectively.
With the supervision of Lewis, master upholsterer - the stools all looked fantastic!!
Celebration of Achievements at Work4UPlus3 Graduation Day
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4UPlus3 programme (funded by the BIG lottery Community Fund) celebrated their achievements during graduation activity days at Watch Tower Adventures and Kelly’s Golf Driving Range.
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus3 programme manager, presented the young people with their portfolios containing details of their achievements. With many of the young people gaining qualifications in ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, Upholstery, Retail & EPOS, Silver Service, Food Hygiene level 1 and one group also achieving Food Hygiene level 2.
We had twelve special awards presented to the young people for Full Attendance, best behaviour and most improved.
Everyone involved in the programme is very proud of the young people’s achievements and wish them every success with their future”.
Study visit – Careers – Pathway – Into Film Prosthetics
Ten young girls attended a full day session with Into Film at Screenworks, in the Conference Room at the WIN Business Park. Connie McGrath, a multi award-winning Prosthetic Make-Up Artist, delivered the session.
The agenda was to introduce the young people to the art of prosthetic make-up which has been used in many films that require actors to have injuries, scars, burns, and other wounds on their faces and bodies within the film industry.
The young people experienced the opportunity of exploring careers within the industry sectors of ‘Into Film’ & ‘Screenworks’ by providing them with the technical knowledge, skills and confidence in working with different types of materials, sculpting, painting and applying prosthetics.
It was a real workshop experience, with high quality materials and tools used by professionals, with a full hands-on course.
The objectives were to practice blending, contouring, highlighting, and colour correction with precision and artistry. The small group allowed Connie to dedicate her attention to the young people and was able to give several demonstrations.
The session was very beneficial to the group of young people, with each one of them expressing their interest in a future using make-up, they had not realised there where so many options that included the use of make-up. The idea of a possibility of having a career involving Films and Make-up was beyond their wildest dream and left the session extremely positive about their future.
Guest Speaker at the Work4UPlus3 Reference Group meeting
INTERGENERATIONAL SILVER SERVICE VOLUNTEERING EVENT
They volunteered to host this ‘Intergenerational Catering Event’ for senior citizens within the local community to gain experience and improve their confidence serving ‘real’ customers, with a hot four course meal. Feedback from the guests was excellent!
This experience will open up many job opportunities for young people as the hospitality industry continues to grow.
STUDY VISIT - CAREER PATHWAYS - MJM MARINE
MJM Marine offers The Navigate Programme, an Early Careers Programme providing opportunities for young people from age 14 upwards to become a Navigator, to develop skills, knowledge and experience as well as industry recognised qualifications whilst working on projects across a range of areas of the business.
Following an introduction to the company and its history, the young people were provided with details on the Navigator programme. This included apprenticeships and work experience opportunities across the business, with some of the more popular areas including design, joinery, carpet and upholstery, commercial and administration. In addition, summer placements and ‘years-out’ are available as a way to gain industry experience and further explore a career with MJM Marine.
The young people had the opportunity to hear from 2 young men currently undertaking higher level apprenticeships. This covered their experience to date working with MJM Marine, including the cruise ships they have worked on and countries visited. The young men received a lot of questions to which they were both open and honest about their working environment, how much they have learned, and that they have enjoyed the experience thus far.
The young people also had a tour of the workshop, where they had the opportunity to meet expert craftspeople and observe work being carried out. The young men received a lot of questions to which they were both open and honest about their working environment, how much they have learned, and that they have enjoyed the experience thus far. The young people also had a tour of the workshop, where they had the opportunity to meet expert craftspeople and observe work being carried out.
STUDY VISIT – CAREER PATHWAYS - FRINGE COFFEE COMPANY
The young people thoroughly enjoyed the very full day and achieved certificates for these valuable skills. A massive Thank-you to the fantastic staff who were extremely helpful, patient and kind to our young people on the day.
Celebration of Achievements at Work4UPlus² Graduation Day
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4UPlus² programme (funded by the BIG lottery Community Fund) celebrated their achievements during a recent graduation and activity day at Formula Karting.
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus² programme manager, presented the young people with their portfolios containing details of their achievements. With many of the young people gaining qualifications in ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, Retail & EPOS, Silver Service, and Upholstery.
We had twelve special awards presented to the young people for Full Attendance, best behaviour and most improved.
Everyone involved in the programme is very proud of the young people’s achievements and wish them every success with their future”.
Intergenerational Silver Service Volunteering Event
The young people have been working hard over the last few weeks learning about table setting, or table management which is a very important aspect of Silver Service, as each table plan and layout will reflect a different service form. Learning the art of Silver Service will open up many job opportunities for young people as the hospitality industry continues to grow.
They volunteered to host this intergenerational event for members of their local community while gaining practice and interaction with ‘real’ customers to help improve their skills and confidence.
Work4UPlus participants volunteer to mentor younger students
They have been working very hard making stencils, measuring and preparing the walls for the painting of positive affirmations as a part of their peer mentoring/ volunteering project.
The project was arranged by Pauline Coghlan programme manager of Work4UPlus² with Miss Havern from St. Josephs Boys High School. The young people successfully completed their work under the supervision of artist Raymond Watson, and the finished project looks Fabulous! Well done to all involved.
Celebration of Achievements at Work4UPlus² Graduation Day
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus² programme manager, said: “We are very proud of the young people’s achievements this year, as they have experienced two years of disruption and isolations due to the COVID pandemic!
Those who could attend the event received their portfolios containing details of their achievements, with many of the young people gaining qualifications in ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, Food Hygiene in catering, The Hour of Code and many others.
We had six awards presented to young people for Full Attendance, and three special awards for those most improved since starting on Work4UPlus²
Everyone involved in the programme is very proud of the young people’s achievements and wish them every success with their future”.
Work4UPlus² - REMOTE ALTERNATIVE CAREERS EVENT 2022
Due to the uncertainty of large gatherings as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Work4Uplus staff and the young people participating on the programme explored new ways of delivering our bi-annual careers event.
Together we came up with the exciting new format of a Hybrid event, where there would be a series of short advice videos made by local employers who would talk about their day-to-day work, sharing their expertise and explaining what they would look for in a young person as an employee.
This would be delivered by a small number of staff, visiting schools and reducing the health risks involved in large events.
Work4UPlus recently hosted some very successful Careers Seminars to young people in St. Josephs High School Newry, Newbridge Integrated College, and other smaller groups.
During the presentations, the young people were provided with Fast Fact sheets on skills currently in demand, information leaflets /newsletters on: Staying in Education; Apprenticeships; Finding a Job; Enterprise & Self Employment.
Dr Ken Harland-Consultant to Ulster University's Taking Boys Seriously
Celebration of Achievements at Work4UPlus² Graduation Day (2021)
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4UPlus² programme (funded by the BIG lottery Community Fund) attended their graduation and activity day in Formula Karting to celebrate their many achievements throughout the year.
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus² programme manager, said: “We are very proud of the young people who attended and completed the Work4UPlus² programme this year, as they faced many obstacles with the Covid-19 pandemic.
They were in lockdown from just before Christmas through to Easter, resulting in on-line support and weekly newsletters being issued by way of support for them. On return to Work4UPlus² the groups worked really hard to catch-up with the many practical and life skills that where disrupted by the virus.
At the event they received their portfolios containing details of their achievements, including ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, The Hour of Code, Retail and EPOS training. There where also ten awards presented to young people for Full Attendance and engagement online.
Everyone involved in the programme would like to wish these young people every success with their future”.
Celebration of Achievements at Work4UPlus² Graduation Day (2020)
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus² programme manager, said: “I am delighted the young people were able to attend the event and receive their portfolios containing details of their achievements, with many of the young people gaining qualifications in ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, Food Safety in catering, The Hour of Code and many others.
We had ten awards presented to the young people for Full Attendance and completing Work Experience. We also had Two Special Awards for young Volunteers who assisted Work4UPlus2 in the making of face covers to donate to those most vulnerable within the community.
Everyone involved in the programme is very proud of the young people’s achievements and we wish them every success with their future”.
Work4UPlus² Donate Face Coverings to Brain Injury Foundation (July 2020)
With new legislation coming into force requiring face coverings to be used on public transport 10 July and indoors where no social distancing is possible, young people on the Work4UPlus² programme have volunteered to help make face coverings for those in the communilty.
An initial donation of coverings was made on Friday to the Brain Injury Foundation based in Camlough and Darryl Gallogly from BIF was on hand to receive the donation.
Work4UPlus² is a Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency Initiative.
Alternative Careers Awareness Event 2019
The Work4UPlus² Alternative Careers Awareness Event, one of the area’s biggest careers awareness events for young people took place at The Canal Court Millar Suite, Newry on 15th October 2019.
Aimed at 14-20 year olds, this four hour event provided young people with a rare chance to discover careers through interactive, inspirational activities and demonstrations, and help young people visually bridge the gap between what they enjoy doing and what they could potentially do as a career.
Increasingly young people need to leave education not only with appropriate academic results but with the skills that we know businesses need now and in the future. The Work4UPlus² Alternative Careers Awareness Event provided an excellent opportunity for young people to meet face to face with over 40 organisations, including local employers, training providers, advisers and lots of other exhibitors, who provided interactive features from many of the major career sectors imaginable!
Pauline Coghlan Work4UPlus² Programme Manager said “This event has been planned first and foremost around the needs of our young people and this unique opportunity not only allowed them to learn about a wide range of a careers in different fields, but also receive accurate, in depth information on employment and training pathways from real employers, experienced in their field”
Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of the Enterprise Agency said “At this event we presented young people with many alternative career options in which creativity, personality and hard work contribute to success as much or more than exam grades, they had many opportunities to hear the real-life experiences of many self-employed entrepreneurs at this event”
The Work4UPlus² Alternative Careers Event is a Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency initiative funded by the Community Fund, in partnership with the Education Authority and Future Proof.
Careers Awareness Event 2019
You can find out more about
The Work4UPlus² Alternative Careers Event by visiting:
www.work4uplus.com
or
www.facebook.com/work4Uplus/
Or by Calling:
Pauline Coghlan on 028 302 67011
or email: pcoghlan@nmea.net
Dr Jonny Byrne - Ulster University
Siobhan O'Neill - Professor of Mental Health Sciences
Over 20 representatives from various organisations working with Young People enthusiastically engaged in the topics discussed which included:
• Mental illness and suicidal behaviour in Northern Ireland evidence of the effects of trauma.
• The cycle of transgenerational transmission of trauma.
• Adverse childhood increases risk of anxiety, depression & other disorders
Siobhan provided data to the group which highlighted the correlation between poverty – depression – suicide. Siobhan followed on to discuss the many adversities nowadays in society can lead YP to having suicidal thoughts.
Natalie Whelehan - Ready4Anything
Ready4Anything helps children deal with life challenges by helping to build and develop ‘Resilience’ with a focus on “The quality of recovering quickly from failure and adversity, and not only returning to the status quo but actually using the opportunity to grow and further your personal development”
Current statistics available in NI relating to Children/Young People concerning Mental Health and Anxiety are “stark”, said Natalie, with 20-30% of Young People expected to be reporting Mental Health issues before their 18th birthday and Child Health Services which has been identified as under-funded, will need to be at least doubled.
Ed Sipler - Health Development Specialist
Sharing Lessons and Successes Seminar
The Work4UPlus² ‘Sharing Lessons and Successes Seminar’ held in NICVA on Tuesday 19th September at 2pm to share the lessons learned while working with young people whose lives have been challenged by adversity and the successes of young people who have defied adversity and rebuilt their lives.
Appreciation Event - Work placement providers
Young People Celebrate Success at Work4UPlus2 Graduation Day (2019)
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4UPlus² programme (funded by the BIG lottery Community Fund) celebrated their achievements during a recent graduation and activity day at Formula Karting.
Pauline Coghlan, Work4UPlus² programme manager, said: “It’s was a very successful event, the young people were presented with their portfolios containing details of their achievements, with many of the young people gaining qualifications in ICT Level 1, Emergency First Aid, Food Safety in catering, The Hour of Code and many others.
We had nine special awards presented to the young people by NM&DD Council Chair Charlie Casey for Full Attendance, completing Work Experience and for a Velotech Bronze Award.
I know I speak for everyone involved in the programme when I say how very proud we are of the young people’s achievements and we wish them every success with their future”.
Young People Celebrate Success at -
The Work4UPlus Graduation Day
Young people on the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agencies, Work4Uplus programme (funded by the BIG lottery) celebrated their achievements during a recent graduation and activity day at Formula Karting. Pauline Coghlan, Work4Uplus programme manager, said: “It’s was a great event, the young people were presented with their portfolios, containing the qualifications the achieved in Food Safety, Emergency First Aid, ICT and many other topics. We also had twelve special awards presented to the young people by Newry Mourne & Down District Council Chair Micheal Ruane for: Volunteering, Work Experience and Attendance. I know I speak for everyone involved in the programme when I say we wish them every success with their future”.Dr Lisa Bunting
The Work4uplus programme is delighted to confirm that Dr Lisa Bunting, lecturer in Social Work from Queens University Belfast, will speak about ‘Families Experiencing Multiple Adversities’ at our reference group meeting on Monday 18th April 2016.
Dr Lisa Bunting is a Lecturer in Social Work at Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB). Her research interests lie broadly within the field of child welfare and maltreatment, with particular interests in families experiencing multiple adversities and the criminal justice response to child witnesses/ victims. Dr Bunting has developed and conducted a wide range of quantitative and qualitative projects over the course of her career, including; research on assessment models; female sex offenders; physical discipline; child death review processes; attrition rates in child sexual offences; and experiences of young witnesses giving evidence. A particular focus of her work has been on the four nations’ policy analysis and she has published work on the UK policy response to families experiencing multiple adversities, information sharing and mandatory reporting processes. She is currently involved in research exploring good practice in video recorded interviews with child witnesses and together with researchers from the NSPCC, Barnardo’s NI and National Children’s Bureau (NCB), has recently published a report examining service users’ experiences of multiple adversities and service provision throughout the life-course.
Champions & Work-placement providers Appreciation Event!
Pauline Coghlan, Programme Manager said “unfortunately for young people leaving school these days the path is neither straight nor well-trodden, and for around one fifth of young people today the path leads to listless and damaging unemployment!
‘Lack of experience’ is the most common reason employers give for not hiring young people, as understandably employers value experience when selecting staff. But this leaves young people in a catch-22 situation – no experience, no job; no job, no experience”.
Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of the Enterprise Agency said “This emphasis on experience overlooks the positive effect employing young people has on their company profile, and also the benefits to the geographical area from giving local young people employment”
The Work4Uplus programme, which is funded by the BIG Lottery, offers young people support to improve their confidence, develop their skills and allows young people to learn about the world of work in a “real life” working situation through work experience placements. To achieve this we must focus on giving young people the experience they need to compete for jobs against older more experienced workers. Work experience placements are part of the solution”.
If you are a local employer and think you could provide a work experience opportunity for a young person, to help them shape their future, please contact: Pauline Coghlan Programme manager of the Work4Uplus programme at Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency on 02830267011
WORK EXPERIENCE CAN OPEN DOORS
Alternative Career Options 2016
Newry’s Young People Explore Alternative Career Options.
The Work4UPlus Alternative Careers Awareness Event, one of the area’s biggest careers awareness event for young people took place at The Canal Court Millar Suite, Newry on 9th February 2016, Aimed at 14-20 year olds, this four hour event provided young people with a rare chance to discover careers through interactive, inspirational activities and demonstrations, and help young people visually bridge the gap between what they enjoy doing and what they could potentially do as a career.
Increasingly young people need to leave education not only with appropriate academic results but with the skills that we know businesses need now and in the future. The Work4UPlus Alternative Careers Awareness Event provided an excellent opportunity for young people to meet face to face with over 40 organisations, including local employers, training providers, advisers and lots of other exhibitors, who provided interactive features from many of the major career sectors imaginable!
Pauline Coghlan Work4uplus Programme Manager said “This event has been planned first and foremost around the needs of the young people, they wanted to meet real employers and find out what they look for in their employees. They were also interested in hearing the real-life experiences of self-employed entrepreneurs and they had many opportunities to do that at this event”.
Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of the Enterprise Agency said “At this event we presented young people with the many alternative career options in which creativity, personality and hard work contribute to success as much or more than exam grades.”
The Work4UPlus Alternative Careers Event was organised by the Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency with funding provided by the BIG Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out Empowering Young Peoples Programme, in partnership with the Southern Education and Library Board, REACT and Barnardo’s.
Alternative Careers Awareness Event 2016
There will be lots of interactive activities, Entrepreneurs who can tell you how they started their own businesses, and Volunteer Now –to talk to you about opportunities for volunteering.
Lee Kane
The work4uplus team are delighted to confirm that Lee Kane, Regional Anti-Bullying Coordinator with the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum will speak about: “Young People and Bullying” at our reference group meeting on 27th August 2015 at 2pm
Regional Anti-Bullying Coordinator – Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum Lee has been the Regional Coordinator of the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) since April 2009. Responsible for the development and delivery of the Anti-Bullying Strategy, Lee provides support to schools and other organisations in the development of effective anti-bullying policy and practice as well as delivering NIABF’s direct work with children and young people. Lee coordinates the delivery of the annual Anti-Bullying Week campaign in Northern Ireland. Previously Lee has worked for the Fife and Tayside Wider Access Forum, Barnardos Scotland and the University of St Andrews Students’ Association. He has also worked internationally, as an English Language Teaching Assistant in the Pays-de-la-Loire in France and volunteered for the Mongolian Youth Development Council and World Vision International in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.