Dundonald High School Pupils Gain Valuable Skills Through Pathways to Succeed Programme
A local school in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area has marked the successful completion of its Pathways to Succeed journey with participation in the Learn to Earn programme, delivered by Young Enterprise Northern Ireland.
This part of the wider Pathways to Succeed initiative—launched at the beginning of the academic year in partnership with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Learn to Earn offered an engaging and meaningful opportunity for pupils to explore their future options, reflect on their personal skills and build confidence as they prepare for life beyond school.
A Practical and Engaging Learning Experience
Through an interactive session and active participation, pupils explored a range of important topics including career choices, personal skills, recruitment and the cost of living. The programme supported students in developing a deeper understanding of the world of work and the skills required to succeed within it.
Pupils were encouraged to reflect on their own strengths and aspirations, while developing key employability skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. The programme also provided valuable insight into real-life financial considerations, helping young people better understand the cost of living and how to plan for their futures. The experience supported pupils to think more confidently about their next steps, equipping them with the knowledge and mindset needed to make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Supporting Young People to Take Their Next Steps
Learn to Earn is one of a range of programmes available through Pathways to Succeed, all aimed at equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and mindset needed to succeed in education, training and employment.
Cllr Claire Kemp, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Regeneration and Growth Committee, said: “Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is proud to support initiatives like Pathways to Succeed, which give young people practical opportunities to develop the skills and confidence they need for the future.
“Programmes such as Learn to Earn play an important role in helping pupils understand their strengths, explore potential career paths and gain real insight into the world of work. It is encouraging to see the positive impact this has had on pupils at Dundonald High School, and we remain committed to working with partners like Young Enterprise NI to support young people across our council area as they take their next steps.”
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive at Young Enterprise NI
“Learn to Earn gives young people the opportunity to explore career choices, understand the importance of personal skills and gain insight into the realities of working life. It’s fantastic to see pupils growing in confidence and becoming more prepared for their futures. Our thanks go to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible.
The success of Learn to Earn at Dundonald High School highlights the value of practical, skills-based learning within Pathways to Succeed, supporting pupils to feel more prepared, capable and informed as they consider their next steps.
Overall, Pathways to Succeed has enabled 3245 pupils to participate in a range of Young Enterprise programmes. Through these experiences, students have developed an understanding of entrepreneurship, employability and financial literacy, while also building key skills to support their future pathways.