Offaly County Council hosts Savvy Teens showcase event in Tullamore

OFFALY County Council hosted a showcase event on Friday, November 21, in the Council Chamber at Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore.

The showcase recognised the efforts of Transition Year (TY) students who successfully completed a six-week programme designed to provide practical skills and insights into local government activities.

The showcase event featured a selection of student projects developed during the programme, with each participant receiving a certificate of completion presented by the Cathaoirleach.

Earlier this year, following a year of planning and development, Offaly County Council invited every secondary school in the county to nominate two students for participation in this unique initiative. Over six weeks, students attended one day per week at the Council, engaging in structured, programme-based learning.

This pilot programme was delivered through a collaboration between Offaly County Council’s Economic Development and Information Systems teams and Susan Hayes Culleton of Savvy Teens, a leading provider of facilitated work experience for teenagers. Savvy Teens brings extensive expertise in developing TY programmes in partnership with third-level institutions and diverse industry sectors across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The curriculum combined technical and soft skills training, including: report writing, graphic design, project management, meeting preparation, presentation skills and teamwork.

Students also gained understanding of local authority service delivery while working on STEM-based projects promoting digital learning, sustainability, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. The programme was aimed at students interested in STEM careers or those open to exploring different opportunities.

Participants were encouraged to consider career paths aligned with the evolving skills needs of the local government sector. The initiative aimed to raise awareness of the wide range of high-skilled roles available within Offaly and to provide practical experience and supportive pathways for young people.

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Throughout the six weeks, students engaged with multiple Council sections, including:

• Community and Culture

• Economic Development and Local Enterprise

• Information Systems

• STEM/Broadband

• Municipal District Offices

• Regeneration

• Library Services

• Climate Action & Environment

A custom-built digital platform supported the programme, enabling students to access weekly tasks, submit projects, and receive mentor feedback.

Feedback from participants and mentors has been overwhelmingly positive, with students demonstrating creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Many projects showcased innovative ideas and high-quality content, reflecting the talent and potential of Offaly’s young people.

Offaly County Council thanks all staff mentors who dedicated their time and expertise to make this programme a success. Plans are underway to keep participants informed about future STEM initiatives and Council projects, including the upcoming Green Energy Conference in February.

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