The aim of Education for Employability is to ensure that all young people develop personal qualities, skills, knowledge, understanding and attitudes which will give them a strong foundation for lifelong learning and work in a rapidly changing economic environment. Its focus is on the impact of external changes on young people and their careers and on equipping them to flourish in this changing world of work.
Employability is a statutory requirement of the Revised Curriculum for N.I. which must be introduced into all post-primary schools in Years 8 and 11 in 2007-8. It is proposed to introduce this also into Year 9 in Ballyclare High School as a foundation for choosing GCSE subjects in Year 10. Employability is one of four strands of ‘Learning for Life and Work’ at Key Stage 3 and one of three strands at Key Stage 4.

The emphasis of teaching and learning will be on encouraging pupils to:

• Learn how to learn, to think for themselves and to view learning as a lifelong endeavour;
• Be creative, innovative and empathetic thinkers in their response to problems and to utilise the full potential of information and communication technologies;
• Apply what they are learning to life and work-related situations.

An active approach to learning is taken in which it is anticipated that young people should engage enthusiastically.

Education for Employability, therefore, is central to the curriculum and although it will exist as a module in the Learning for Life and Work programme taught by form tutors, all other areas of the curriculum will also contribute to preparing young people for the world of work.

There are four sections within the Employability programme:

• Work in the local and global economy;
• Career management;
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship;
• Skills and qualities for work.

You have probably heard of ‘Bob the Builder’, but why not ask you Year 8 or 9 child about ‘Pat the Plumber’ or even ‘Marvellous Mike’ or Dramatic Deirdre’? Why not take the time to talk to them about what your job involves and what skills and qualities are required to do it?

As careers are redefined in the 21 st Century, “security comes from accumulating skills, experiences and reputation that can be invested in new opportunities as they arise. Individuals, whether formally self-employed or not are being encouraged to regard themselves as self-employed … taking responsibility for their own career development… self-marketing.” (Charles Handy)