The purpose of the Careers Education and Guidance within St. Vincentís is to ensure that each pupil is equipped with the knowledge and skills required to successfully take his or her place in society as a confident and responsible member of society and in the world of work thereby contributing to his or her well being and in some way contributing to the prosperity of the city of Belfast.

The aim of the Careers Programme is to evaluate opportunities in education and work. The programme helps pupils make the transition to adult working life by promoting understanding of the work environment and by providing work experience and contact with local industry. It enables pupils to make considered choices about careers. Careers Information Databases (CID) is an important resource. It is imperative the pupils keep up-to-date with the changing employability market with the use of the internet.

To underpin the importance of the Careers Guidance Education programme, there is a partnership between T & EA through the Service Level Agreement which sets out the Training & Employment Agencyís contribution to the Careers Programme. This is supported by the Careers Officer of the T & EA of Belfast South.

There are close links with NIBEP (Northern Ireland Business Partnership). With BELB and NIBEP support there is the Special Schools Career Cluster group which organises a Careers Convention for Special Schools. St. Vincentís is involved in this. It is very successful. At the Convention pupils are offered hands-on experience in a variety of careers and get the opportunity to see how they can enter the world of work. There is a convention scheduled for the Autumn Term 2003.

There are links with BIFHE which facilitates a Jobskills programme. The pupils experience a variety of vocational areas and complete modules in each area. Year 11 and Year 12 attend BIFHE one morning per week throughout the academic year.