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New year – new opportunities for school leavers
04/01/2010
Thousands of young people who could have left school at Christmas now have the choice of more pathways into further learning, training or employment than ever before.
The Scottish Government want to ensure that every young person in Scotland has an offer of post 16 learning that is right for them. For those who decide to leave school that could be a college place, training including modern apprenticeships and Get Ready for Work, volunteering or non formal learning.
In addition, the Scottish Government has already made an extra £2 million available to fund 420 new places for young school leavers to learn skills in engineering, motor vehicle, warehousing/retail, IT and administration through the Pathways to Apprenticeship programme.
James Taylor (16), from Alva Academy, Clackmannanshire left school in December 2009 and had already taken part in the 'Kickstart' programme - a school Post-16 project targeting personal skills development/employability skills run by Falkirk Football Club. The project helped James build up confidence to help him - and others like him - through the transition into employment or further education.
James is keen to join the Army, but is also interested in a career in Catering and has been working with his school and Careers Adviser to achieve his ambitions. He has now applied for an Army Preparation course at college and will shortly be attending a residential week with the local Battalion recruiting team.
Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown said:
"This Government is doing everything that is can to provide more choices and more chances to those who leave school at the first opportunity. I am passionate about improving the life chances of all young Scots and improving the destinations of this group is crucial.
"It is important that we provide as many options as possible for young people and give them the support they need to make and sustain the learning choice that's right for them. This is particularly important in the current economic climate when young people, particularly the more vulnerable, may find it difficult to progress in their learning.
"People are our most valuable resource and I am determined to ensure that everyone in our society has the opportunity to make the most of their educational ability.
"This Government will do all that it can to help us recover from the current downturn and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to continue to contribute to Scotland's future economic success."
Story of a Christmas Leaver 2009 - Alva Academy, Clackmannanshire
James Taylor, age 16
James arrived at Alva Academy with a history of support needs from his Primary school and he has had the benefit of additional guidance from the wider Pupil Support Team. James was a Looked After Child; adopted and later rejected by his adoptive parents and taken into the care of the local authority, latterly living with Foster Carers.
He struggled with some subjects but really enjoyed practical based courses, especially Craft & Design and Home Economics. He received some support from the Faculty of Additional Support Needs, which enabled him to achieve Access Grades in Maths and Numeracy. James also took part in School Group Work sessions to help develop his social skills, language and communication difficulties.
James was less mature than many of his peers and had less confidence to enable him to progress into further learning, employment or training when he becomes eligible to leave school at age 16 this Christmas. Following discussions between his pupil support teacher and Skills Development Scotland, it was suggested that James might benefit from the 'Kickstart' programme - a school Post-16 project targeting personal skills development/employability skills run by Falkirk Football Club. Designed to build up confidence and help guide participants through the transition into employment or further education, James was clearly enthused and took up the opportunity to work with facilitators from a football club - one of his passions in life.
James is keen to join the Army and pursue a career in Catering; ' Kickstart' has given him the confidence to take things forward. Despite initial concerns, James took to the course, played an active part in all the activities and feels that his chances of moving into his chosen career, is becoming more of a reality than just a dream.
He has now applied for an Army Preparation course at college and will shortly be attending a residential week with the local Battalion recruiting team. His passion for cooking continues and although the Army remains his first choice, he has not dismissed the idea that catering is also a realistic and appropriate career option. His new found confidence has helped James in the application and interview process, appreciating the extra support, information, advice and guidance which he has had in the past and he looks forward to the future.
Alva Academy, Skills Development Scotland and other Partners will continue to monitor James' progress and future development with interest.
For more information on any of these options, contact your school's careers advisor or guidance teacher, Skills Development Scotland for training programmes, the local college or Volunteer Centre.