Hugh Neil, Co-ordinator for More Choices ,More Chances explains, “We are equipping schools with extra resources to ensure our young people who are leaving school, are better informed about opportunities open to them and are equipped with the relevant core and vocational skills to enter their next phase of learning within the world of work with greater confidence.
In terms of opportunities, we have to ensure that informed choices are made about the career routes available to our young people and ensure that any learning provision reflects both the current and future labour market demands and that learning offered is of high quality and complies with industry standards.
It is important to ensure that young people who require support to access the next learning step, post school, are equipped to do so and that opportunities available to them match their needs, their skills, their expectations and aspirations.”
Wednesday’s session focussed on the introduction of Activity Agreements in West Dunbartonshire aimed at engaging young people onto a path of career development.
“An Activity Agreement is an agreement between a young person and an advisor that the young person will take part in a programme of learning and activity which helps them to become ready for formal learning or employment. The young person may receive an allowance in return for complying with this agreement”
The launch of Activity agreements in West Dunbartonshire bring Partner agencies together to ensure that our young people who require extra support receive it and that activities are relevant, supported, flexible, enjoyable, and connect young people into mainstream learning.
“There is a fantastic mix of opportunities and possibilities open to each young person who participates in an Activity Agreement”
2 special guests, working behind the scenes with the technical events company who were delivering the event on the day, were Charlene and Cassie, 16, both girls had recently left school as soon as they could but with no plans of what to do. Until they got involved with More Choices, More Chances the girls admitted that they were literally not doing anything with their time.
Since signing their activity agreements Charlene and Cassie have taken part in a variety of taster training given them a chance to try out a whole range of working environments and along the way developing skills whilst building their confidence, getting motivated as they go and learning to work as part of a team.
Cassie and Charlene told us, “So far we have tried out, cookery and beauty nails course which we really liked and we are Just about to embark on a Fire Reach Course where we are going to train with Fire Cadets in Glasgow!” The girls explained that they were also looking forward to trying out photography, DJ-ing and an introduction to construction taster!
When asked what it was that they liked about the activity agreements Charlene explained, “You get to direct what you want to do, rather than being told what to do. I might go onto study now, but I’ll wait until I have tried a lot more taster sessions before I make a decision and commit myself to something that I have actually tried and know that I like.
Cassie explained that she couldn’t wait to leave school! “I didn’t want to stay on. I was lucky, I knew one of the key workers at the Careers Service and she put me onto the activity agreements. It has been brilliant!
Head of Service for Education, Lynn Townsend explained, “Our young people in West Dunbartonshire possess a wealth of talent and that mixed with the expertise, knowledge and commitment from partner agencies will maximise the next learning step for young people within our local communities. With extra funding from the Scottish Government been made available, all partners are committed to reducing the number of young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training by assisting them to realise their potential by offering support and creating meaningful activity.”
Geographically, West Dunbartonshire is in a position of strength; within a short commuting distance of Scotland’s most dynamic and vibrant cities, Glasgow, and Loch Lomond, the gateway to the Highlands and with future regeneration planned for along the River Clyde, we really are in a prime position.
Our focus is getting to the young people and engaging with them to be able to give them the skills and the confidence to get out and in amongst it in today’s competitive job market.
Also launched on Wednesday was the More Choices, More Chances car!
Hugh Neil explains, “Quite literally, our team will be delivering all the information and options available to young people and their parents, directly into the communities that may be furthest away from the job market. Our informed staff will be getting right into the hearts for the communities to spread the word, answer questions and inform young people of all the opportunities which could be created for them. The car is very distinctive with its More Choices, More Choices bright car graphics so we are highly visible and instantly recognisable and we are encouraging young people and parents to come and speak to us directly about what opportunities we can provide.”
If you or any young person you know are currently out of learning or work and would be interested to know more about the choices and chances open to young people in West Dunbartonshire then please contact your local Careers Scotland Office on 0141 952 1454 if you are in Clydebank or alternatively the Dumbarton office on 01389 761421.
