Inspiring the Future has been launched in Ireland today by South Dublin County Partnership with support from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Google. 
 
The project aims to address the greatest barriers to young people, particularly the most disadvantaged, to securing successful and fulfilling lives and careers. The programme recognises key youth challenges including youth alienation, unemployment, skills mismatch, gender stereotyping and poor pupil motivation. 

It was developed following extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders – employers, education, government, third sector and intermediaries. Since the launch, interest in the programme has come from over 35 countries including Australia, Bangladesh, China, the UAE and the U.S. and Uganda.
 
The inaugural Inspiring the Future Ireland ‘Career Speed Networking’ event took place today in Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin, the first school in Ireland to avail of this new initiative. Volunteers from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Google and Takeda Pharmaceutical were present at today’s event.
 
Following the launch event Inspiring the Future Ireland will be available to schools in the South Dublin County region and the project will expand nationwide if the pilot initiative proves successful. The ambition is to have 20-30 schools sign up within the first year. South Dublin County Partnership is seeking to recruit 600 volunteers to pledge just one hour a year to volunteer in a secondary school near where they live or work to talk to young people about their job and career route. 
 
Speaking today, An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald said, "I want to congratulate Principal, Ms. Pauline Duffy and the staff of Collinstown Park Community College for introducing this important programme to the school curriculum. My focus as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to ensure that we continue to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs, including those for our young people." 

She added, "Programmes such as Inspiring the Future play an important role in helping break the cycle of youth unemployment by increasing the chances of young people remaining in education and succeeding in life. I look forward to seeing this initiative expand to schools throughout Ireland in the coming years." 

Source: www.businessworld.ie