Ballyjamesduff student places third in national video competition

A transition year student from St. Clare's College in Ballyjamesduff has placed third in a national video competition.

Organised by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), TY student Ella Whelan achieved third in the ‘Constructing Your Future’ video competition. She compiled a video diary of her work experience in construction at Elliot Group in recent weeks.

The initiative aims to highlight the exciting opportunities available to young people through a career in the construction sector.

Ella received a set of Apple Air Pods for achieving third in the competition.

She said the the competition was “an added bonus” to her work experience in the Cavan-based construction and engineering company Elliott Group.

“It enabled me to put some of my newly learnt marketing skills that I learnt with Brian and Claire to work.

“I’m very proud of coming third overall," she said, adding that she is "also delighted to win the AirPods" and is "very thankful" to Elliott Group and CIF for the opportunities they offered her.

Trish Flanagan from CIF, who was responsible for managing the competition, said that Ella’s video "gave a really clear and comprehensive outline of what she had achieved during her work experience.”

The video also clearly displayed “the wide variety of roles within the sector that Ella got to observe and try out with Elliot.

“She did a great job and really got her message across. She showed a keen interest to learn but also a strong ability to communicate and share ideas, which is a vital part of so many careers within the construction sector.”

She had “no doubt” that the Ballyjamesduff student “has a great career ahead of her.”

She commended the staff at St Clare's College and stated they give students “every opportunity to develop their skills and their career options.”

She also praised the “suberb job” Elliot Group did hosting Ella during her work experience and encouraged more construction businesses to take students on work placement.

“In Cavan there are hundreds of second level students looking for work experience every single year and local builders and construction companies are well placed to nurture local talent, show them what options are available and encourage them into the industry.

“Elliot Group must be congratulated for taking the time and making the effort to support young people into the industry,” she concluded.