Over 200 of Renfrewshire secondary school pupils have been given a unique insight into creative and cultural careers through a bespoke programme.
The Renfrewshire Pathway Programme gives third year pupils a chance to learn about creative jobs and carers that might otherwise have been invisible to them. It’s being run for the second year and is funded through Renfrewshire Council’s Future Paisley cultural programme.
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Pupils attended taster workshops with experienced professionals in technical theatre, events management, podcasting, tourism and performing arts.
The one-day event was held at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Paisley campus and Paisley Arts Centre. It is a collaboration between Renfrewshire Council, UWS, West College Scotland and OneRen.
Students of UWS took pupils on a guided tour around the university campus to see the facilities and learning support available.
Pupils also visited the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre to see performances from Paisley Opera, Right2Dance and West College Scotland’s performing arts students. Each performer talked about their experiences and journey into their creative field.
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of the Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “This programme has grown since it was piloted last year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all young people to see what creative and cultural careers they can get into right at a point in their lives where they are making decisions about what their future career might entail.
“Getting tasters of these jobs will help more young people get into a creative and cultural career and show them that there is much more out there they can do as a job.”
Professor Sandro Carnicelli from the School of Business and Creative Industries and lead on the Pathways Programme at UWS emphasised the significance of initiatives like the Renfrewshire Pathway Programme. He said: “The Renfrewshire Pathway Programme is an invaluable initiative that opens doors for our young people to explore the vast potential of creative and cultural careers. By providing hands-on experiences and insights into various creative fields, we are nurturing the next generation of talent and fostering a vibrant, diverse workforce.
“This programme not only showcases the exciting opportunities available in the creative industries but also demonstrates the vital role of collaboration between educational institutions, local government, and cultural organisations in shaping the future of our region.”
