On the 21st of May, GEMX held a special celebration event for our SuperGEMs – 39 students from Knockavoe and Ardnashee Colleges – marking the successful completion of a three-week work experience programme. Hosted at Ulster University and supported by Derry City & Strabane District Council. The event was attended by parents, carers and teachers, highlighting strong collaboration between education, industry, and community.
The programme provided valuable workplace experience, helping students build confidence and skills while also highlighting the opportunity for employers to access an often untapped labour pool of talented young people with disabilities. David Loughrey, teacher at Knockavoe School, said: “It is great to see special needs students getting to have the same life experiences as their counterparts from mainstream schools.”
The event celebrated the students’ effort, growth, and achievement, and demonstrated what is possible when community, education, and industry work together to create inclusive opportunities for all.
