The Chair of the Northern Ireland Education Committee has praised an innovative new careers website for local post primary schools. Officially launching the ‘Careers Opportunities in Newry’ (COIN) website for the Newry and Mourne Education and Labour Forum at MJM Interior Build, Carnbane, Mervyn Storey MLA said that other areas in Northern Ireland would be envious of this new resource. Mr Storey added that the website – which provides information on career paths and opportunities within the local job market through videos of 150 local employees in various businesses describing their careers – was a great example of schools and educators coming together and creating something useful. “This (careers advice) is an issue we have taken a keen interest in and we want to ensure that young people have appropriate and up to date information,” he said. “It is very encouraging to see the work that is being achieved in Newry. I think it is exemplary what they have done and I have no doubt that other areas will be very envious of this resource. The schools now have access to large amounts of information and it is free in terms of access. The potential it has to be of benefit is huge.” Mr Storey said that in hailing from the constituency furthest north in Northern Ireland he has been looking forward to coming to the southernmost to launch the website especially as Wednesday coincided with the 25th anniversary of the world wide web which he believes young people are now at the vanguard of with the dawn of social media. “It is great for me to come to Newry and Mourne and to be here today to meet the young people and to see what is going on in another part of Northern Ireland. We need to harness them in a very positive way and make sure that they get the best positive opportunities in life. I was very pleased to be able to do this today,” he said. The launch was attended by over 70 guests from local schools, political parties and businesses and including representatives from companies featured on the website such as Norbrook, MJM Interior, BR Areospace, McAllister brothers, REGEN and Daisy Hill Hospital. The mobile enhance COIN website is online at www.newrycareers.com and will be promoted through the local post-primary school network as a key tool in providing careers advice and guidance,
Newry Reporter
19th March 2014
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