Education
The study of science and the human's natural curiosity into how things work has fascinated people since the beginning of time. No matter who we are or where we live science affects every one of us.
So what is causing the numbers of students going on to study science for the leaving certificate and then at third level to drop? Maybe it's the perception that it is difficult to achieve high results in these subjects therefore students feel they might be better off studying an "easier" subject, who knows...
The fact of the matter is that for an industry such as ours, chemists, chemical engineers, analytical scientists, microbiologists etc are our bed rock. In order to reverse the worrying trend representatives from various companies in the pharma industry (including ourselves) in conjunction with the IPCMF (Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers Federation) are trying to forge closer relations with the education sector in order to redress the problem. For this reason RIRL support a number of initiatives linked to local schools and colleges in the hope that we can help raise the profile of careers in science.
Junior Achievement
Roche participates in the Junior Achievement programme, which is designed to build bridges between classrooms and workplaces. Each year employees of Roche Ireland volunteer to teach classes from local schools. The employee meets their class once a week for 6 to 9 weeks. Junior Achievement outlines the topics to be covered which are determined by the age of the class concerned. Topics are as wide ranging as "The Family" for primary school to the "World of Work" for secondary school.
To date both the schools involved and the company have found it to be very successful and rewarding. It means children in the locality know more about Roche Ireland and what the company does and students develop contacts with people in the Industry, who are more than willing to offer them any help or advice.
Education Links
The company participates in the IBEC sponsored Business Education Links Programme. This Programme is very similar to Junior Achievement in that it involves interaction with schools in the region. Employees visit schools for career discussions with students and to carry-out practice interviews.
Student Placements
Roche Ireland hires students through third level colleges for up to eight months industrial placement as part of their course. It also takes a limited number of students through colleges for the Summer months on work experience.
Transition Year Placement
Roche at Clarecastle actively participates with local secondary schools in the work experience placement of transition year students. The program is coordinated through the career guidance teachers of the schools. The students spend a week shadowing a number of volunteer employees in the course of their daily work. The experience covers many of the science disciplines including Chemistry, Biology and Engineering as well as the Business aspects such as Logistics, IT and Regulatory. It is hoped that the student will learn an appreciation of career opportunities in the sciences but overall that their experience at Roche will help them in the making of their further education choices.
STEPS
STEPS is a programme run by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland aimed at raising awareness among young people of what engineering is all about. Roche Ireland Limited is twinned with a local secondary school and a school-industry visit takes place whereby students receive talks from employees on careers in engineering in the pharmaceutical industry and student packs are given out.
Scholarships
Roche Ireland Ltd. runs a scholarship scheme for employees children, supporting them through third level education.
Further interaction with schools
Roche facilitates job shadowing for teachers in local schools whereby the teacher spends a period of up to 2 weeks in the company. The teachers spend time with professionals in different departments to get a feel for the business and what the jobs entail. This then allows them to go back to their students and relay what they have seen and learned. It gives teachers added insight into business in general and helps them in their career guidance role. Roche also facilitate site tours for students.