US firm launches education project

A US-STYLE project aimed at encouraging students in disadvantaged areas to stick with education was introduced in Ireland for the first time yesterday.

The Johnson & Johnson group of companies based in Cork launched their Access to Education - Bridge to Employment programme.

Cork is the first site outside the US in which J&J has run this programme.

Over the next four years, 200 fifth-year students in three northside secondary schools - Mayfield Community School, Terence McSwiney Community School and the North Monastery - will be targeted.

Less than 10% of second-level students from that area go on to third-level.

Particular emphasis will be placed on science and technology subjects.

Students will be made aware of the wide range of career options open to them in the health care sector.

And the programme will also select one student from each school for a two-year college scholarship.

Co-ordinator Jim Murphy said career guidance seminars and college campus visits will play an important role in the project.

Students will visit J&J’s plants at Janssen Pharmaceutical, DePuy and Centocor and plant staff will be involved in one-to-one mentoring and career talks.

“Parent information days will play a vital role in the success of the scheme,” Mr Murphy said.

The initiative is backed by University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and business groups.

Washington’s Academy of Education Development will also lend support.