Published 05 July 2022
Green-fingered senior pupils transformed plant beds at a Clydebank community garden as part of a horticultural programmed designed to increase their skills.
The pupils, from Clydebank High School and St Peter the Apostle High School, worked at Melfort Park for 10 weeks for the employability and work experience programme run by the Council’s Greenspace team and West College Scotland.
The pupils learned and practiced a range of skills including tool handling, ground preparation, growing and harvesting produce.
The experience will support the pupils’ next steps after leaving school, with their plans including further education, training and green keeping apprenticeship.
West College Scotland lecturer Mark Haining said: “It was a privilege to mentor the young group, watch them develop their skills and confidence. Each young person showed commitment, enthusiasm and teamwork to the project. I congratulate them on a successful growing season and look forward to watching their next steps, and welcome the next generation to horticulture.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services said: “This is a great example of working in partnership to provide real opportunities for our young people. During the course pupils learned how to handle and using tools correctly, ground work preparation, growing and harvesting. I would like to thank West College Scotland and the Council’s Greenspace team for their time and support which has led to positive destinations for everyone who took part.”
Councillor Michelle McGinty, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: “As a direct result of the participating in the programme, all eight young people have left school with additional skills and gained hands-on experience by attending this great project. All the pupils received accreditation and a positive transition, moving on to college or further employability training, with one young person applying for a Green Keeper Apprenticeship. I am particularly pleased that the food grown in the beds which includes potatoes, lettuce and strawberries, will be shared amongst the residents within the sheltered housing complex in Melfort Avenue.”
The Council’s Senior Phase team support young people to successfully move onto sustainable positive post school destinations.
During the summer volunteers will maintain the beds and the Council is planning another course in September.