The Kerry Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is organising a Careers Fair and Parent Information Talks to mark College Awareness Week (CAW) this month.

Taking place from November 21 to November 25 the campaign promotes the benefits of a post-secondary plan for all and supports students to become ‘college ready’.

Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors will celebrate CAW by holding a Careers Fair on Thursday, November 24 in the MTU Kerry Sports Academy, North Campus, Tralee which is open to the public and all second level schools from 9am to 2pm and admission is €3. Universities and Technological Universities from throughout Ireland will have stands at the event as well as some colleges from the UK and Europe. Agricultural colleges, the National Learning Network, the Defence Forces, an Garda Síochána and organisations providing apprenticeships, traineeships and further education, such as Kerry College of Further Education & Training will also be present. Representatives from SUSI Grants, HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) will also attend. Information talks for students on PLCs and Apprenticeships will take place at various times during the day.

Several Information talks for parents will be held on Wednesday evening, November 23 also in the MTU Kerry Sports Academy. Parents are invited to attend whatever talks are relevant to their son/daughter.

Admission is free and they provide parents with the opportunity to support their son/daughter at this important time.

The times are as follows:

7pm: HEAR (Higher Education Access Scheme)
EUNICAS (Colleges in Europe)

8pm: DARE (Disability Access Route to Education)
UCAS: Information about studying in the UK

“We are delighted to be part of a nationwide campaign to promote the importance of post-secondary education," Mary Dowling, PRO of Kerry Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, said.

"There are lots of options out there and College Awareness Week encourages people of all ages to consider further education as part of their future. The Careers Fair gives students an ideal opportunity to meet representatives from the colleges, pick up information and have any queries answered. The information talks will provide parents with the specific information they need to support their son/daughter in making this important decision and to help guide them through the HEAR and DARE schemes.”

CAW aims to inspire and inform all students about the importance of having a post-secondary education plan. It advocates for students to have the choice to pursue the course best suited to their interests, abilities and dreams, whether that is a FE qualification, an apprenticeship or a university degree.