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Logo School Summit
Eikon Exhibition Centre
Balmoral Park, Sprucefield

School Summit

Scotland

7th & 8th October 2024
10:30 - 2pm
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Keynote Speaker

Moira Doherty

Deputy Secretary for the Skills and Education Group

It is really important that children and young people are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in life and benefit from the opportunities available in a thriving local economy. Making a decision about your future career isn’t always easy, but the Department for the Economy’s Careers Service is at hand to provide that guidance. From Traineeships through to Apprenticeships, Further and Higher Education or directly into employment, there is a progression route for everyone. Every young person should be encouraged to explore the opportunities available to find the right pathway.

The Department’s 10X Skills Strategy has the ambition of creating a culture of lifelong learning in Northern Ireland thus ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to develop the skills they need. Investing in skills provides a powerful lever for inclusion. It ensures that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and be part of the changes that are coming in this decade of innovation and young people will have a key role to play. This skills focus will also mean that our businesses have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time, to underpin innovation.

Speakers

Dr Sean Whittaker

Lecturer in Law and Lead Academic Admissions Contact for Law

Dr Sean Whittaker's Bio
Following Dr Sean Whittaker’s graduation from the University of Dundee LLM Programme in Environmental Law, he began his doctoral studies in University College Cork, Ireland. Before being appointed as a lecturer Dr Whittaker worked as a judicial assistant in the High Court of Ireland under Judge Caroline Costello and as a post-doctoral research at the University of Dundee for the “Uncovering the Environment: The Use of Public Access to Environmental Information” project. He is currently the Executive Director of the Centre for Freedom of Information at the University of Dundee and has a keen interest in issues relating to environmental law, the Aarhus Convention and comparative legal theory.

Caroline Samia

‘Know your employment rights’
Employment Relations Officer in the Labour Relations Agency
Caroline Samia's Bio
Caroline Samia is an Employment Relations Officer in the Labour Relations Agency. With a background in business, she has lived and worked in London, New Zealand and Turkey. She has a keen interest in ensuring young people are aware of their employment rights and have the confidence to know how to assert those rights in the workplace. An interesting fact about Caroline: she is in the final year of her foundation degree in integrative counselling practice, which she is doing in her spare time.

Hannah Wilson

Lead Technical Trainer at Moy Park
Hannah Wilson's Bio
Hannah is employed by Moy Park as a Lead Technical Trainer, responsible for managing and developing the Technical Academy to develop and train technical team members. She works closely with Moy Park training teams to create and deliver a bespoke training provision to address identified training needs for all team members across Moy Park. Hannah graduated with BSc (Hons) Food Technology from CAFRE in 2014 and has previous experience in a number of food safety and quality roles in the food manufacturing environment. She is passionate about Technical Apprenticeships and leads the group programme for Moy Park, working with providers and supporting apprentices throughout their career in Moy Park.
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Fiona Longmuir

'Physics is limitless'
Learning and Skills Manager, the Institute of Physics
Fiona Longmuir's Bio
Fiona is the Learning and Skills Manager for Ireland and Northern Ireland at the Institute of Physics. She is responsible for the IOP’s education work across the island of Ireland, including teacher training, recruitment and retention, working with our colleagues in Further and Higher Education, and ensuring that all spaces where physics is taught or learned are open, safe and welcoming.

Anna Kilmister

'Why study at Bradford'
Outreach & Recruitment Officer
Anna Kilmister's Bio
Anna joined the Outreach and Recruitment team in February 2023 after making the move from Newcastle to West Yorkshire.
As an Outreach and Recruitment Officer Anna is regularly visiting schools and colleges to help support with their journey to university, providing outreach talks on areas such as personal statements and interview skills as well as academic talks as well. Careers fairs and on campus visits are also a key part of Anna’s role and gives her a great chance to chat to students from so many different backgrounds. Looking after our twitter is also a key part of Anna’s day to day role, be sure to follow us if you want to keep up to date with what we are up to (@UniBradOutreach)!
Outside of work, Anna is a keen runner and netballer and is always looking for her next race to sign up to

Ailsa Mackenzie

Outreach & Recruitment Officer
Ailsa Mackenzie's Bio
Ailsa started as an Outreach and Recruitment Officer in May 2023. She has experience working in outreach at another University where she graduated in 2021 from a Biology with Industry degree.
Ailsa’s day to day role involves visiting schools and colleges to chat to students and parents about the wealth of opportunities available at the University. She also welcomes students and teachers
onto campus to give them a taste of University. As a first-generation student in her family, Ailsa is passionate about making sure everyone has the same opportunities to access higher education. She also works with Alumni who are interested in promoting the
University as well as working with disability services and the SEND team to make University accessible for everyone.
In her free time, Ailsa is a keen dancer and will be tap dancing or trying new classes.
Claire McBride

Claire McBride

‘Skills for the Future Q&A with Fujitsu’
Claire will be joined by colleagues from Fujitsu and together they will share with students the skills organisations value.
Account Executive, Fujitsu, NI
Claire McBride's Bio
Claire joined Fujitsu’s Northern Ireland Team as an Account Executive in October 2021. Her role involves working with government departments to bring together best of breed digital technologies and the right ecosystem of partners to develop, implement and deliver user-centric digital transformation projects that meet everyone’s needs. As the former Managing Director at Olenick, a Chicago based foreign direct investor specialising in quality assurance and software testing, and Vice President at Qualitest Group, a global leader in the provision of AI-powered quality engineering services, she has over 25 years’ experience delivering a wide range of customer solutions within the IT, event management, film and TV production industries. She is passionate about providing opportunities for others to unlock their potential and the positive impact diverse teams have on company culture and customer outcomes.

Keith Williams

Customer Service Manager
Moy Park
Keith Williams's Bio
I started working with Moy Park in 2016, joining as a Site Trainer at our Ballymena site. In 2018 I had the opportunity to join our central marketing & insights team as an analyst and then in 2020 I took on the role of Insights Manager. Moy Park has provided me with lots of opportunities to work with, and learn from, people all across the business and now I am moving to a supply chain role as a Customer Service Manager for one of our key customers.

HATS

Carving out a career path in Hospitality and Tourism
About HATs
Panel discussion with industry professionals sharing an insight to career opportunities in Hospitality & Tourism

LCpl Falconer

Army Careers
Aviation Communications Specialist
LCpl Falconer's Bio
I joined the British Army on 13 Apr 2015 and attended Phase 1 Training at ATC Pirbright, England for 14 weeks. Upon passing out I moved to AACen Middle Wallop where I completed Phase 2 (Trade) Training and became an Aviation Communications Specialist. At this point it was time for me to be posted to my first assignment which was at 5 AAC (Aldergrove), I spent 4 years (2016-2020) there and achieved many things one of which was completing the AAPTI course which enabled me to plan and deliver fitness training to the entire Regt. In 2020 I posted to 1 AAC (RNAS Yeovilton), SW England for 2 years. I continued my trade and deployed on various exercises in support of aviation reconnaissance thus giving me the opportunity to travel the world. I have deployed to Canada, Oman, Germany, and Cyprus as well as many others. From 2022 I have been working with the OTNI within the Recruiting Group to drive recruitment for the British Army.

Dylan Dunbar

Transitioning to Liverpool for study as a Northern Irish
student
Dylan Dunbar's Bio
This presentation will outline the accessibility and affordability of
moving to Liverpool, and Liverpool Hope University specifically as a student and
school-leaver. There will be discussions around the courses available at Liverpool
Hope as well as details of what it is like to study on a campus-based university. There
will be time left towards the end of the presentation for questions and further
discussion.

2023 Highlights

EIKON Centre - 7th & 8th October

Next stop ✋ EIKON Centre Northern Ireland 7th & 8th October - Book your school group now.
"ONLY OPEN TO REGISTERED SCHOOLS & REGISTERED EXHIBITORS"

2022 Event

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View photos from previous School Summits Events. Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of students from across Northern Ireland will be in attendance at the School Summit NI event.
Our speakers provide valuable experience for all students and offer the opportunity to explore a wide range of industries.
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TESTIMONIALS

what teachers have to say

St. Josephs Grammar School
An excellent event for young people. A fabulous mix of employers and
further and Higher Education Options. An opportunity for young people
to hear and see about the world of work.
St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick.
Extremely informative event giving pupils a wide range of information on
universities, careers and pathways for their future. Pupils will leave in a
better place regarding their thoughts for the path they may wish to take.
Staff and Pupils will be delighted to return in 2023
St Patrick’s College Banbridge
Well organised and welcoming for students. Very informative and
engaging for students and staff alike. Excellent day out.
St. Ciaran’s College
Really Well organised event with friendly staff welcoming our students.
Lots of stands promoting a huge range of careers opportunities.
more exhibitor testimonials
Newry High School
Fabulous Event.
St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon
Great Apprenticeship Opportunities.
St. Ciaran’s College
Really Well organised event with friendly staff welcoming our students.
Lots of stands promoting a huge range of careers opportunities.
Devenish College
Excellent Exhibition. Fantastic mix of Universities, FE Colleges and
Employers. There was something for everyone.
St. Patricks Grammar School, Downpatrick
Very Well Organised.
St. Josephs Boys High School
Fantastic day out for our pupils. Great Event for all involved.
This event has massively benefitted our students.
St. Josephs Donaghmore
A Super Event. Well organised and managed.
Excellent Speakers and a variety of exhibitors Wonderful Day.
Great Buzz and Information for our Young People. Thanks for a great
day.
Hunterhouse College
Brilliant range of Universities and Careers. Excellent Stands and very
friendly staff. It was very student centred with great ways to engage
young people and start important conversations. Well Organised Event.
St. Patrick’s High School, Keady
Very enjoyable experience. Here with 120 year 12 pupils.
Interesting. Informative. Educational
St. Mary’s High School
Students and Staff have been provided with an excellent opportunity to
find out about the wide range of opportunities available to them.
Particularly good to be informed on apprenticeships and traineeships.
St. Patrick’s College Ballymena
Welcoming. Great Staff. A great day, very informative and well Organised. Plenty of Exhibitors to be seen. Our students benefitted a
great deal from this exhibition.
Wellington College
Great Opportunity for students to get an overall vision of career pathway.
Fantastic opportunity to investigate courses and jobs.
Newry High School
The Event was well organised. Excellent Sessions. Great combinations of interesting speakers. Professional and Positive approach to students. Educating. Inspiring. Exciting
Rathfriland High School
Extremely well laid out. Super variety of careers for kids to view. Very informative and everyone very helfpful and friendly.
Blackwater IC
Incredible number of opportunities for our young people. I was especially interested in the organisations that are engaging with pupils through school visits and programmes.
Drumglass High
Very well organised, spacious and great range of exhibitors. Great to have dynamic face to face contact for young people. Great opportunities for students to ask questions and receive clear advice and insight into career pathways.
Banbridge Academy.
Great opportunity for our our pupils to get a taste for this kind of event.
St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
An Excellent Event. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. Very
Informative. Well Done !
St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
St. Patricks College
A fabulous event catering for our young people. Very informative
and well presented.
Mary Daly – Five Mile Town
Well Organised. Good Range of Advisors. Well Ventilated.
Robert Henry – Careers Newry High
Great contacts made for the future for our Careers Department. Great
Communications prior to the event with Rachel.
W. Willey – Newry High
Fabulous day out. Great Resources collected for school – Kids loved the interactive
stalls.
Philip McConnell - Head of Careers – Drumglass High
Very well organised, spacious and great range of exhibitors. Great to have dynamic
face to face contact for young people. Great opportunities for students to ask
questions and receive clear advice and insight into career pathways.
Stephen Bond – Head of Careers – Banbridge Academy.
Great opportunity for our Year 11 & for our pupils to get a taste for this kind of event.
Geraldine Corcoroan – St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
An Excellent Event. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. Very Informative. Well Done !
Robert Henry – Careers Newry High
Great contacts made for the future for our Careers Department. Great
Communications prior to the event with Rachel.
W. Willey – Newry High
Fabulous day out. Great Resources collected for school – Kids loved the interactive
stalls.
Philip McConnell - Head of Careers – Drumglass High
Very well organised, spacious and great range of exhibitors. Great to have dynamic
face to face contact for young people. Great opportunities for students to ask
questions and receive clear advice and insight into career pathways.
Stephen Bond – Head of Careers – Banbridge Academy.
Great opportunity for our Year 11 & for our pupils to get a taste for this kind of event.
Geraldine Corcoroan – St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
An Excellent Event. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. Very Informative. Well Done !
Jenifer O’Connell – St. Ronan’s College
It was just wonderful for us to be able to introduce our year 11’s to this event and to
get them thinking about pathways and opportunities that they have in the future
world of work.
Seamus Heffron – St. Ronan’s College – Lurgan
Excellent to go ahead with the Event in spite of Covid.
Aisling Meehan – St. Brigid’s College
Lots & Lots of different Stalls with different courses.
Sandra Sloan – Rathfriland High
A very enjoyable day for both teachers and children with lots of information for the
children to help them choose their career path for their future.
Would definitely recommend this to all schools.
Maria Campbell – St. Patrick’s College – Dungannon
Minister Michelle McIIveen commenced the event with an extremely enthusiastic
and inspiring speech for the students. There was a wide variety of stalls with well
prepared and knowledgeable individuals giving their full attention to each student.
Leanne Toner – St. Patricks College
A fabulous event catering for our young people. Very informative and well
presented.
Paul Robinson – Rathfriland High
Great to be “in person” with exhibitors so personable.
A good range of providers present.
At the same time there was no “hard sell” which was refreshing.
The Day was another indication of returning to normality which was also refreshing.
Mary Daly – Five Mile Town
Well Organised. Good Range of Advisors. Well Ventilated.
Laura Mc Cartan – Banbridge High
Pupils found information informative, helpful and took a lot from the talks. Plenty to
think about.
K. Grogan - Dunshaughlin
Community College
Excellent Focus on Careers
Mary Ryan
Tipperary ETB
Great to see
opportunities from
outside Ireland -
excellent talks,
very informative
G. Dunne
O’Fiaich College
Excellent Set up, students really
enjoyed the day
St. Kevin’s’ Community College
Tracey Redmond
Lots of
information
for students
St. Kevin’s CC Clondalkin
Sorcha Ni Chrualaoich
Excellent Fair
Very well run - Great Opportunity
for students
St Josephs Rush
Aine Lynch
Great Variety and
Speakers actively
engaging with
students and teachers
Nicola Brennan -
O Carolan College
Very Diverse
and Informative
for students
Ciara Harvey - Colaiste Ui Mhuiri
Amazing opportunity for our students to learn about next steps
Pat Tynan – Castlecomer Cs
Very Good interactive
experience with the stands
represented
Treasa de Paor -
GRETB
Great Variety,
Engaging,
Accessible
& Clear
M. McBrearty - Blackwater IC
Incredible number of opportunities for our young people. I was especially interested
in the organisations that are engaging with pupils through school visits and
programmes.
Paul Kelly / Rockford Mano
The range of stands and keynote speakers
are perfect for our TY’s and Leaving Certs.
Excellent day for our students

TESTIMONIALS

what exhibitors have to say

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Excellent Summit with a very wide selection of stands. Great way to promote local industries and colleges. Great way to provide information on UK Universities and colleges.
HATS
Fab Platform to engage students and bring to life Careers in the Hospitality and Tourism
Sector.
Moy Park
An excellent chance to showcase Moy Park and what we have to offer school leavers for their future careers. Well organised. Informative Speakers and an engaging audience. A Superb Event for us as their future Employer.
Bring IT on
The School Summit was an absolutely fantastic event, providing an excellent opportunity to talk to young people about careers in IT and beyond.
more teacher testimonials
The Housing Executive
Excellent Exhibition Staff. Big Interest showed from students for the Housing Executive.
KPMG
A great way to meet so many students from across Northern Ireland all under one roof.
FinTru
Excellent event – great opportunity to interact with students and teachers to provide advice and guidance on career opportunities.
NIE NETWORKS
This School Summit has been an incredible opportunity to interact with young people face to face and talk to them about their future. There is so much talent and potential in young people and we hope to help them make the right career decisions for them and inform them of the plethora of opportunities within NIE Networks across a wide range of disciplines. As the Electricity Network for Northern Ireland, we strive to attract talented individuals to take us closer to a low carbon future.
SERC
Great to be back face to face ! Amazing rang of schools and networking opportunities.
Translink
Great day at the School Summit. Very encouraging interest from students and teachers across Northern Ireland.
Institute of Physics
The School Summit has given us a brilliant opportunity to interact with students as they prepare to make huge educational choices.
PWC
Good Positive day with plenty of school engagement. Really great to see businesses back out and in person again. Really Friendly, worth making the trip.
HSCNI
Excellent opportunity to showcase the various opportunities within Health & Social Care NI It has been fantastic to speak with students and teachers across NI to promote HSCNI. A Really well organised event and we look forward to attending further events in the the future.
Northern Regional College
Great Opportunity to showcase the FE sector to students.
Southern Regional College.
This is a great opportunity to liaise with young students and give them an overview of all our courses and offerings at Southern Regional College.
FUJITSU
The level of energy has been great. We have had lots of interest and students are engaging and positive. Good layout which means we have had a good constant flow of traffic. Look forward to Next Year !
RAF
Great Event well organised and delivered.
Almac Group
Great student turnout and interaction from pupils. High Level of engagement.
University of Cumbria
Worthwhile event. Great to meet so many students from across NI and highlight the opportunities at The University of Cumbria.
Teeside University
The School Summit in Northern Ireland has been a fantastic Experience for our Institution. We have been able to have conversations with prospective students from many different
schools and colleges in one convenient venue. The opportunity to speak about and promote our wide range of course a this event has been invaluable.
PSNI
We have had a very positive engagement with all the students with lots of questions asked.
SRUC
A very well organised event with lots of information and communication from Rachel prior Great Venue & Hospitality. Thanks again
University of Dundee
A well organised and well executed event. Well worth the investment. We’ll be back.
Bangor University
What a great way to meet students and teachers from across NI and promote our courses.
Liverpool Hope University
The NI Summit offers students a fantastic mix of HE Provider, Employers and Businesses so students can make informed, well researched decisions. The event was great with fantastic conversations and engagements from students, teachers and advisors.
CDE Group
Well organised. Lots of space to display. Enthusiastic Students ! The future Engineering pool looks exciting.
ARMY
As we say in Northern Ireland “CLASS “
Well Organised. Great Opportunities. Highly Enjoyable Experience.
Belfast Met
Lovely Atmosphere. Great Selection of schools that were invited. Helpful Staff.
NWRC
Great Event. Fantastic Venue and lot of interest from schools.
Queens University Belfast
Event was busy with good number of students. Good set up, layout and location
University of Law
Brilliant Event – We had a lot of students enquiring about the courses we offer. Definitely will come back.
University of South Wales
What a great event ! So positive to meet some really motivated students and discuss their options. We’ll definitely be back.
White Mountain
Great Event , great opportunity to interact with school leavers and work with local business.
LYIT
Very positive Event. Great to see events taking place again after Covid 19.
Macs NI Supporting Children &
Young People
It was a great opportunity to meet young people and schools face to face and chat about what we do and how we can help
Teeside University
Fantastic Event. Had great conversations with the students here in Belfast about their higher education options and future decisions.
 Cara Friend
Very well Organised Event. Lots of stalls and schools. Friendly Team. Well Done !!
Liverpool Hope University
A fantastic day, well organised and set with the best intentions and with opportunities for all students. A pleasure being here today.
WWT
Great opportunity to network with students and teachers.
Ulster University
Fantastic Event! Wonderful to see people face to face. Definitely will be back again!
Volunteer Now
Lots of positive engagement with young people about getting involved in volunteering – really great day!
Teeside University.
Everyone has been so positive and friendly. It’s been a great opportunity to meet the next generation of students, talk to them about their futures and inform them about our Uni
University of Cumbria
Great Event with lots of enthusiastic students. Really busy vibe both days and a Fantastic Atmosphere !
LYIT
Great to see students face to face at an event. Very well run!
University of Winchester
It was great being part of the first School Summit NI. The Exhibition has definitely been worthwhile. We’ve had brilliant conversations across the 2 days and pleased with the number of students that attended. The Pre Event support was excellent and really helped us gain brand exposure to our target market.
St. Mary’s University
Fantastic Event – great opportunity to chat to students about their next steps and journey into higher education!
Southern Regional College
The School Summit was an Excellent opportunity to meet students from local schools face to face.
University of Cumbria
Fantastic Event to meet so many young people from the North of Ireland after 18 months of virtual outreach. Look forward to the next event.
University of Bedfordshire
This has been our first time attending and exhibiting at the School Summit. We will be back ! Event Organisation & pre event communication was Superb !
I have met hundreds of really engaged and ready young people. It has been great to be back in Northern Ireland and meeting people face to face. Thank You !
Lisburn & Castlereagh Council
A Great Venue to exhibit and make students aware of openings and opportunities in helping choose their career path.

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Showcase opportunities for 2021 and beyond. With two days of events aimed at future partners and customers. The  summit is a place to build relationships, educate and share your knowledge with Ireland's future workforce.
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