MINISTER JAN O’SULLIVAN LAUNCHES COLLEGE AWARENESS WEEK 2015
MINISTER JAN O’SULLIVAN LAUNCHES COLLEGE AWARENESS WEEK
College Awareness Week (#CAW15) will take place from November 23rdto November 29th 2015
Daily events will promote the benefits of going to college, showcase local role models and support students to become ‘college-ready’
Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, today launched College Awareness Week 2015 with the help of students from Westland Row Secondary School, Dublin; Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin; and the Trinity College Foundation Course.
Also at the launch were Clive Byrne (National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals), Kathleen O’Toole-Brennan (CAW Campaign Founder, Trinity College), Tom Boland (Higher Education Authority), Mary Sheahan (Perrigo) and Donie Wiley (AIB).
The second annual College Awareness Week will take place from November 23rd to November 29th 2015. College Awareness Week aims to inspire and inform all students about the importance of having a post-secondary plan. It advocates for students to have the choice to pursue the course best suited to their interests, abilities and future plans, whether that is a PLC qualification, an apprenticeship or a university degree.
Communities across Ireland are invited to host events in community centres, schools, colleges, libraries and other venues, to raise awareness of opportunities available and to showcase local role models who have attended college. All activities, large or small, make a valuable contribution to the nationwide campaign.
College Awareness Week is supported by the Higher Education Authority, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. The National Parents Council Post-Primary, the Irish Union of Second Level Students and Irish Business Employers Confederation have also come on board to lend their support. This is a nationwide, multi-organisational and collaborative campaign involving schools, after-school programmes, further and higher education providers, libraries, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Last year’s campaign, the first of its kind in Ireland, was a runaway success. Over the course of the week 363 events took place in many different locations including schools, higher educational institutes, community centres and libraries.
The 2015 campaign is expected to bring even more participants on board, with an increase in the number of events and a strong focus on communities where participation in Higher Education remains below average. As well as encouraging young people to consider college in their future plans, College Awareness Week aims to show prospective mature students and students with a disability that further education is a viable option for them too.
College Awareness Week gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of the campaign by AIB and Perrigo, and thanks them for their dedication to the betterment of communities and Irish society through enhanced educational experiences.
Minister O’Sullivan said: “I’m delighted to be supporting College Awareness Week for the second year. Committing to third level study can be a daunting process for many people, so it’s important that they are supported and made aware of all of the options available.”
Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said:
“People of all ages and backgrounds should be encouraged to think about expanding their education. Through a series of nationwide events, this initiative aims to highlight the variety of options available to those who want to make college a part of their future.”
Tom Boland, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority said:
“Working closely with local communities, College Awareness Week encourages people of all ages to consider further education. It’s important that anyone considering post-secondary options receives encouragement and advice to help them make an informed decision.”
For more information and to register your event or activity, please visit www.collegeaware.ie
