TOP ACHIEVERS.. Hannah Cousins, Grainne Kennedy and Sophie O’Dolan all did very well in their GCSE exams. RMGFH09
OVER half of Fermanagh’s school leavers and GCSE students would consider leaving the North to find work, the Fermanagh Herald has learned.
As A-Level and GCSE students make final preparations before the next school year begins, a number of pupils from across the county’s schools have been revealing future career and work plans.
Over 20 per cent of students asked said they feel there are not enough jobs in the North and would not see their careers here.
The vast majority of students would like to live and work locally, however over 50% said they would move to where there is work available if that meant moving away from the North and South of Ireland.
Some of the top performing students at Erne Integrated College revealed they don’t see a future locally when they complete their university level education.
A-Level student Kian O’Sullivan explained his reasons for leaving Ireland.
“There are no jobs here for me and the political situation in the North isn’t making me stay either.”
19-year-old Grainne Wall who is studying in Liverpool said she would move to New Zealand or Australia for work where as 19-year-old Adam Reid who is studying law said he would consider the US.
He added: “I’m looking at England or maybe America, depending on where I can get work.
“I have family there and been a few times, but I think with law it’s such a competitive market, especially in Northern Ireland, so getting away to England or America would be the best thing financially.”
Engineer student Gareth Russell stated: “I’ll go wherever my job takes me. Studying mechanical engineering means I can go to a lot of countries, every continent has jobs in that industry so it just depends on my job.”
Out of 20 Mount Lourdes GCSE students, four said they would see themselves leaving the North for work, whereas all of the students said they would go where there is work.
Top Mount Lourdes GCSE students Hannah Cousins, Grainne Kennedy and Sophie O’Dolan, all 16, revealed their future plans.
Grainne said: “I got ten A*s in my GCSEs, and I’m hopefully doing maths, chemistry, biology and physics. I’m not sure what I’ll study in university, either medicine or engineering.
“I’d like to study locally if I can, I’d like to stay in Ireland if there’s work but if I have I wouldn’t mind going to England.”
Hannah added: “I got 9 A*s for my GCSEs. I’d like to study French, Spanish, economic and maths and go on to do something with economic at university maybe in Dublin.
“I don’t see a working future in Fermanagh, probably somewhere a bit different like in a city either Dublin or London.”
Sophie explained: “I got 9 A*s and I’m staying in Mount Lourdes for my A-Levels to study maths, biology, chemistry and either technology or French.
“I plan to go on to university but I don’t know where or what I’ll study. When I finish university I’d like to stay in Ireland, maybe work in a city for a bit but then stay in Fermanagh.”
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