As West Dunbartonshire has higher than average numbers of 16 - 19 year olds in this category an extra £800,000 has been made available as part of the Government’s strategy to reduce the NEET group.
Partners have developed a local NEET Strategy, which details how we will use this extra resource to assist our young people to realise their full potential.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING?
We are equipping schools with extra resources to ensure our young people are better informed about opportunities when they leave school, have the relevant skills to access jobs, are more motivated and have greater confidence.
In terms of opportunities, we have to focus on the career routes available to our young people and ensure that any education or training provision reflects both the current and future jobs market and is of high quality and complies with industry standards.
Discussion is taking place with both local and national employers to increase the number of high quality opportunities available to our young people over the long term. This involves identifying which skills are needed both now and in the future.
Partner agencies are working together to ensure that our young people who require extra support receive it and that employers are better informed and supported to understand the issues that young people face today.
We are in a position of strength when we look at where West Dunbartonshire is situated - we are on the banks of Loch Lomond, the shores of the Clyde and on the edge of one of Scotland’s most dynamic and vibrant cities. There is a wealth of opportunity for us to exploit and with extra funding from the Executive all partners are committed to assisting our young people to realise their potential by offering support and creating additional opportunities.
If you require any more information on the NEET strategy/action plan please contact Hugh Neill, NEET development officer, West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership on 01389 742544.
These are some of the projects on offer for young people: RIGHT TRACK & CRE8 This Clydebank-based project uses the creative arts – particularly music and dance – to boost self confidence and open the door to a whole range of exciting new job opportunities.
Bob Saunders, acting Arts and Education Links Officer, explained: “The creative industry is very powerful economically in Scotland and whilst we recognise not everyone wants to be a dancer or a musician there are a lot of associated jobs. “The aim of the Right Track programme is to give young people in West Dunbartonshire a knowledge of what it is like to be involved in this environment and we are doing this by putting on a major event next summer and providing them with the training and skills to play an important role in it.”
PERFECT BEAT: Dean Johnstone beats out a rhythm on a drum
Intensive two-week training sessions held at the Cre8 Music Studio in Clydebank High School and The Stand in St Andrew’s High School over the summer have increased the interest in the Right Track programme. For more information visit http://www.right-trackproject.co.uk/
GET READY FOR WORK
After a preparation for the world of work programme, which is provided by Skillseekers section of the council, young people are found work placements in their choice of occupation. They receive an allowance of £55 per week, plus help with travel expenses and are provided with protective clothing. The Get Ready for Work initiative is targeted at 16 – 18 year-olds requiring additional support, last year 79 trainees found jobs and of these 25 also took up some form of further training towards a relevant qualification.
TEA TIME: Samantha Hogg on duty at Dalreoch Nursing Home, an on-the-job experience the 17-year-old describes as “brilliant”
Samantha Hogg, 17, recently completed the programme and after trying various job tasters, including a nursing home in Dumbarton, she has recently started a new placement with Cordale Housing Association. She said: “It has been brilliant working at Dalreoch Nursing Home. I’ve done classes in moving and assisting and first aid and done all kinds ofvwork with the people here from making teas to helping them on the computers. “I would like to get a job either in care work or administration and I’m looking forward to working with Cordale Housing Association. “Skillseekers has given me opportunities that I just wouldn’t have had to get this kind of work otherwise.” Contact Skillseekers on 01389 608018
WORKING IN TOURISM & HOSPITALITY
Although tourism and hospitality are growth industries in West Dunbartonshire they have not been popular career options. An innovative new training programme designed to equip young people with skills to work in these industries is aiming to change this.
The Junior Working in Tourism and Hospitality (WITH) programme is specifically for 16 to 18 year olds. The free 13 week course, launched in August 2007, provides trainees with a mix of interactive learning and work placements. As well as finding out about qualifications required they will also visit local tourism businesses, such as the Titan Crane and develop their CVs and interview skills with staff from Careers Scotland.
Then it’s time to practice what they have learned with a 10 week work placement, organised and managed by West Dunbartonshire Council. Participants receive a weekly allowance, travel expenses and course materials as well as being guaranteed work placements.
On completion of Junior WITH trainees will be supported into jobs and employers encouraged to progress their staff through Modern Apprenticeships. In a separate initiative to boost interest and skills in these sectors from an early age, a training kitchen is being built in Dumbarton, which should be fully operational by the end of the year. It is hoped the facility will be used by a range of client groups, including schools, Get Ready for Work trainees, apprentices and community groups and will help ensure young people have the skills to not only access job opportunities, but progress quickly into higher paid posts.