Students join Life Sciences Skills and Careers event in Craigavon

Dromore High School pupils were among 50 local students attended a Life Sciences Skills and Careers Event in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre last week.
Claire Byrne from Sothern Regional College, Nicola Wilson, Head of Economic Development in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Lord Mayor Garath Keating with students who attended the Life Sciences Skills and Careers event in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre last week.Claire Byrne from Sothern Regional College, Nicola Wilson, Head of Economic Development in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Lord Mayor Garath Keating with students who attended the Life Sciences Skills and Careers event in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre last week.
Claire Byrne from Sothern Regional College, Nicola Wilson, Head of Economic Development in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Lord Mayor Garath Keating with students who attended the Life Sciences Skills and Careers event in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre last week.

Students from Southern Regional College (SRC) Newry, St. Patrick’s College Dungannon, St.Patrick’s Armagh, Portadown College, St.Ronan’s Lurgan were also in attendance.

The students got to hear about careers in the Life Sciences sector from enthusiastic people who work in top local life sciences companies Almac, Norbrook and Randox. They also found out about local career opportunities, gaining an insight into what it is like to work in the

Sciences industry.

The event, organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, also gave students the opportunity to find out more about SRC’s Life Sciences Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Programme and ask questions of the lecturers and those who work in the industry.

Council’s Head of Economic Development, Nicola Wilson said, “This borough is a hub for life sciences companies, so it is important that we encourage our young people to think about careers in this field.

“It is our responsibility to secure the future of this important sector for nour local economy, and this begins with equipping our young people with the enthusiasm and the appropriate skills to work in this industry.

“There is a wealth of opportunities in our borough for young people considering a career in this sector, so we need to make sure our young people know about them. We believe that by educating our young people appropriately to meet the needs of this industry, we are securing the future of this important sector for our area.”

Assistant Director at SRC, Claire Byrne commented, “Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) offer A-Level/Level 3 school leavers an alternative to the traditional ‘University’ pathway to gaining a higher qualification. At SRC we currently have over 70 young people undertaking HLA apprenticeships.

“Indeed, many of our HLA candidates have already secured employment.”

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