(School Training Education Partnership Scheme)

The concept of the STEPS programme was developed through the sharing ideas of Mrs Bernie Rocks, Training for Business, and Principals from the following local schools - St Joseph’s High School, Newry High School, St Paul’s High School and SELB.

The introduction of the pilot STEPS programme was funded by the SELB and was offered to 24 Year 12 students who wished to opt out of the National Curriculum GCSE route and follow a course which was based upon vocational and occupational skills needed within the working environment.

The programme offered skills in English, Mathematics, Information Technology, Motor Vehicle Repair, Joinery, Bricklaying, Construction, First Aid, and Life Skills – delivered through formal lessons and practical training in an alternative learning environment which was carried out at Southern Group Enterprises premises, Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry.

An important component of the STEPS programme was the transference of the skills that were taught in the formal and training settings to the workplace.

The parents / guardians of the participants expressed the opinion that the programme was beneficial to their son and that a mature attitude was acquired towards others and a positive work ethos instilled.

A measure of success of the STEPS programme is that 95% of the parents believed that, upon reflection, they would still choose to send their son on the programme. 88% of the students expressed the opinion that the programme was beneficial to them, both as a means of learning and acquiring skills they needed for their future careers.