Una Doherty

Developing Positive Relationships with Local Employers

Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh

Omagh CBS educates boys between the ages of 11 and 19 years who live in its large catchment area, which extends across most of West Tyrone. It has almost 1,000 pupils and over 100 staff.

Una Doherty has been a teacher for 16 years, the Head of Technology and Engineering for 13 years and she is also the Head of STEM Development.

In this clip Una tells us how she has engaged with one particular local employer and how this relationship is mutually beneficial. The local employer has made their business part of the classroom and in turn they will reap the benefits of having the pupils from Omagh CBS as a potential source of future employees.


Key learning

  • Local companies are very likely to be interested in developing links with schools

  • Engagement is mutually beneficial raising awareness of the school within the local industry and in turn, raising awareness of the company within your school community

  • It can bring work focused learning into the classroom through short training opportunities delivered by industry professionals

  • There may be an opportunity of paid placements for Post 16 students or bursaries

Points to consider:

  • Do you currently visit local companies for educational visits?

  • Look at the career paths of past pupils – see if you can make contact with a past pupil within a company you want to work with.

  • Would there be an opportunity to create a permanent link between your school and a company?

  • What could you offer as an incentive to a local company to invest in your school and your pupils?

  • Is there an area of your curriculum that could benefit from direct interaction/tuition from a local company?