During the 2010/2011 school year, Synopsys Dublin volunteers partnered with two local schools – St. Patrick’s SNS, Corduff, Dublin 15 and Riversdale Community College, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 – bringing innovative, interactive enterprise and life skills into the lives of 300 students.

Our Nation Program
The Our Nation program at St. Patrick’s SNS asked senior primary school students to produce, market and sell a product, culminating in the students’ presenting a business plan for their start-up enterprise. This program helped the students discover the importance of a skilled and educated workforce and the necessity of employing efficient work practices.

Students from St. Patrick’s SNS during their Our Nation program

“Life experience is not something that can be learnt from a text book and we are extremely grateful to Synopsys and our volunteer Evan for his generous sharing of his experiences, resources, time and energy,” said Michael Shanley, principal, St. Patrick’s SNS.

Success Skills Program
The Success Skills program at Riversdale Community College is designed to teach students the critical skills that an employer looks for when recruiting new staff. Students are taught the importance of teamwork, communication, and effectively marketing oneself to a prospective employer with the goal of obtaining an interview.

Synopsys volunteers invited students into the office to participate in mock interviews, providing practical experience to their classroom studies.

Synopsys volunteers with students from Riversdale Community College who participated in mock interviews

With the support of volunteers from businesses like Synopsys, Junior Achievement Ireland was able to reach 70,000 students during the 2010/2011 school year.