Published 21 March 2024
Pupils at Vale of Leven Academy will take part in an exciting project by repairing Chromebooks in schools. The project, which will take place in the Communications Base at Vale of Leven Academy, will give pupils first-hand experience of the responsibilities associated with running a business that is successful, conscience-led and profitable. Working alongside staff, pupils will be responsible for running the Chromebook repair project. The pupils will be given the opportunity to learn how to repair Chromebooks through providing a repair service to all schools and early learning and childcare centres in West Dunbartonshire. The project will also provide opportunity to learn how to run a business as the pupils will be responsible for running the project, customer relations, logistics, stock control, marketing and accounts. The project will also help young people build a strong CV, giving them work experience at school that they can build on when they leave school and move on to a positive destination. West Dunbartonshire currently provides over 10,000 Chromebooks in educational establishments and a programme of repair to damaged devices will help cut costs and ensures less waste protecting the environment by reducing landfill. Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “This is a great project which will teach our young people all the skills they need to run their own business whilst still at school. It is important for any business that employees have key skills, including communication, financial decision-making and strategic choices and I look forward to hearing the progress of the project in the coming months.” Councillor John Millar, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: “There is so much to think about when starting a business and having the knowledge and understanding on how to repair computers is a very popular choice. Pupils will learn how to grow and expand the business and develop the essential skills required to run a successful business while learning a trade. I hope the life skills the young people gain from this project will stand them in good stead for the future and give them a flavour of running their own business.”