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New CD-ROM gives practical help to students looking at their career options

A new interactive CD-ROM for second level students which explores options in a range of careers across engineering, IT and the sciences will be distributed to all secondary schools in the republic over the next few days. The CD-ROM, produced for the National Skills Awareness Campaign on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and Forfás, was recently launched by Mr Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Education and Science.

The CD-ROM called Up2U provides down to earth advice to students who need to select their Leaving Certificate subjects and Leaving Certificate students looking to make that difficult decision on what third level course to choose. Up2U also gives students the opportunity to see what it could be like to work in the areas of science, technology and engineering.

Dr. Danny O’Hare, Chairperson of the EGFSN said “This CD-ROM will provide an excellent resource to the thousands of students who are currently deciding what subjects to take for their Leaving Certificate Exams. It will also provide a most valuable insight into what careers are like in these areas, from the best people to advise –the people that are working in them.”

The CD has three main areas

School Subject Chooser –a practical guide for students who are trying to decide what subjects to take at Leaving Certificate level. Students who have been there talk about their experiences, what is involved and their own projects
College Chooser –A searchable database of over 300 science, technology and engineering courses with handy weblinks, course summaries and testimonials from people who have completed the courses
Careers Chooser – An opportunity to meet people working in the areas of science, technology and engineering to find out what it is really like

Ends.

For further information contact

Aideen Fitzgerald (aideen.fitzgerald@forfas.ie)

Tel: 01 607 3117 Mobile: 086 837 2770

3rd April 2003

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN)

EGFSN was set up by Government as part of the Business Education and Training Partnership to develop national strategies to tackle the issue of skills needs, manpower estimating and training for business and education in Ireland. The group is composed of representatives from Government, industry, IBEC, trade unions and the development agencies. Dr. Danny O’Hare, President Emeritus, DCU, is its current Chairperson.

For further information http://www.skillsireland.ie

National Skills Awareness Campaign

The National Skills Awareness Campaign operates under the aegis of EGFSN. Its objective is to raise awareness of the career opportunities available to young people in certain key areas. During 2003 the Campaign will focus its activity primarily on the areas of IT, Engineering and Science. Una Halligan is the current Chairperson of the Campaign Committee.

Forfás

Forfás is the national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. It is the body in which the State’s legal powers for industrial promotion and technology development have been vested. It is also the body through which powers are delegated to Enterprise Ireland for the promotion of indigenous industry and to IDA Ireland for the promotion of inward investment.

http://www.forfas.ie