AN employability skills programme that brings together school pupils and employers has been launched in Scotland.
Esh Border Construction, part of Esh Group, is bringing its successful initiative to schools in Scotland for the first time in the new academic year.
Successfully operating in the North of England for over five years, Esh Group’s ‘Building my Skills’ has now grown to encompass 90 schools and 120 businesses, delivering 66,000 hours of education to 11,000 school pupils. The primary aim of the programme is to equip young people leaving school with the employability skills they need to develop successful careers, getting the advice first hand from employers.
Esh Border Construction say they are delighted to partner with; PricewaterhouseCoopers, Peter Brett Associates, Peace Recruitment, Beattie Communications, Brodies Solicitors and The Armed Forces. More business partners are being encouraged to take part.
Schools across five local authority areas in the South and East of Scotland are set to benefit from the partnership with business professionals each delivering an interactive session providing insights on their career path, sector and the employability skills they value.
Simon Phillips regional managing director for Esh Border Construction explained, “The ethos of Esh Group is firmly rooted in putting something back into the communities in which we operate and that’s why I’m delighted that we’re able to introduce the Building My Skills programme so early on in our growth in Scotland. We’ve had great support so far from many of our business partners who share our aims – to provide quality realistic and relevant careers information to the workforce of the future.
“I hope they gain the same rewards we do from inspiring young people to make positive and informed career choices.”
Delivered across the academic year students receive five one hour sessions from business people across a range of sectors.
The Scottish schools taking part are:
· St Augustine’s High School, Edinburgh
· Forrester High School, Edinburgh
· Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian
· Broxburn Academy, West Lothian
· Maxwelltown High School, Dumfries and Galloway
· Galashiels Academy, Scottish Borders
