The “Classroom to Career” project, within St. Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, will deliver a structured, two‑year programme linking pupils directly with local employers to develop skills, increase career readiness, and provide real‑life insight into future pathways across engineering, construction, renewable energy, and professional services. The project will facilitate on‑site visits to Walter Watson Ltd, Kane Group, Alternative Heat, and Ashview Consultants.
Building on a successful pilot last year with 20 students, the expanded programme will include employer‑led workshops, site visits, mentoring, and a structured work‑shadow experience for selected pupils. Activities will be linked to the curriculum to enhance understanding of STEM, employability skills, and vocational routes such as apprenticeships and higher‑level apprenticeships.
“We are incredibly grateful to the James Kane Foundation for their generous support of our Classroom to Career programme. This funding is transformative for St. Malachy’s High School and our pupils. It allows us to remove barriers, ensuring that every young person can engage meaningfully with real‑world careers. Through strong partnerships with Walter Watson Ltd, Kane Group, Alternative Heat, and Ashview Consultants, this project will equip pupils with the skills, confidence and insight they need to make informed decisions about their future and access high‑quality career opportunities.” Peter Hynes, Strategic Lead for Pupil Pathways & Vocational Education, St. Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan
Castlewellan and the surrounding Mournes region face ongoing challenges related to economic opportunity, rural access to industry, and lower rates of progression into STEM fields compared with urban centres. Employers across Northern Ireland report widening skills gaps in engineering, construction, renewable energy, and technical services (Ulster University Economic Outlook 2025). Young people in rural areas often lack direct exposure to modern workplaces, limiting their confidence and ability to make informed career decisions.
The expanded “Classroom to Career” programme will address these needs by providing regular, structured, high quality employer engagement that supports confidence, aspiration, and employability. This will be a fantastic opportunity for over 100 students participating.
The James Kane Foundation is supporting this two year programme with a significant donation of over £33,000. We look forward to seeing the impact of this on these pupils in due course.