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Park Mains High pupils have successfully completed the first year of a new programme designed to help them get ready for the world of work.
The seven young people have recently completed four-weeks paid internship over the summer, with three working with Renfrewshire Council and four with local businesses, such as Diageo and Stafffinders.
Career Ready is a coaching and mentoring programme by the national social mobility charity of the same name. It aims to work with employers and education to help young people get a kickstart towards their career ambitions.
The two-year programme includes a series of skill masterclasses and meeting mentors who share their skills and knowledge to support young people towards their career future.
Pupils have been overwhelming positive on the experience.
Oisin said: “My favourite part was meeting with employers and seeing just how many opportunities are out there for young people. I learned about different career paths that are now available to me.”
Hannah added: “I’ve learned many things during this experience but the biggest was about the work done by employability staff and I realised I might want to do something like that when I am older.”
Yvonne Ward, education manager for Renfrewshire Council with a remit for Developing the Young Workforce, said: “We are delighted with the success of the Career Ready programme in Renfrewshire this year and the positive impact it has on our young people. Plans are now in place to extend the Career Ready programme to an additional two Renfrewshire secondary schools in this school year (2024-25).”
Education convener, Councillor Emma Rodden, added: “Giving young people the opportunities to work with local businesses is vitally important to ensure they have the skills and knowledge for the careers they want to get into. This programme has only just begun, and we are seeking more businesses to work with us and become mentors to support new interns in future, helping to provide more great opportunities for young people at a key stage of their education journey.”
Businesses interested in becoming mentors for young people should email Debby Barry at Career Ready.
