Portlaoise Institute students getting 'work ready'

The third level institute serving Portlaoise is busy training up students to be “work ready” in a range of free courses.

Portlaoise Institute, on the same campus as Portlaoise College on the Mountrath Road, recently hosted several courses in a bid to equip students with the skills to transition from education to employment.

They held a talk led by Terry Byrne, a recruitment consultant from Choice People recruitment agency based in Portlaoise. The event saw students from the Business, Computer Science and Creative Digital Media courses receiving useful tips on securing coveted work placements.

Students applied for work experience with local employers who are facing skill shortages, offering a win-win to them.

Employment Engagement Coordinator at Portlaoise Institute is Fintan Walsh.

“The benefits of this initiative are two fold, as students gain valuable industry experience but will also bolster the local economy by addressing critical workforce needs”.

Portlaoise Institute's Humanities Campus staged a workshop conducted by Angel Dalton and Sean Murphy, representatives from Nuvo Recruitment.

This event was attended by Healthcare students, to gain insights into their future careers and work placement prospects. 

One of the key highlights was the chance for students to register with Nuvo Recruitment to fulfill their mandatory work placement requirements, again a double win as the students gained experience while addressing the local healthcare employment shortages. 

Angel Dalton, speaking during the workshop, emphasised the importance of hands-on experience in the healthcare sector.

"We're not just connecting students with opportunities, but also contributing to the community by helping meet the increasing demand for healthcare professionals”.  
 
The next main event employment preparation event that Portlaoise Institute hosted was Occupational First Aid Training for it all its humanities students (Early Learning & Care, Nursing, Midwifery, Healthcare Support and Pre-Paramedics).

This three-day training course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond confidently and promptly in emergency situations in their chosen area of employment.

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Portlaoise Institute Principal Keith McClearn said they are proud to announce that this training is free to all their students, providing them with sufficient cost savings.

“Our commitment to student success at Portlaoise Institute extends beyond the classroom. These events were designed to empower our students with the knowledge and skills they need," he said.