Coming up in May and June
The end of term is nearing but there's still plenty of activities coming up that you can get involved in.
Our host organisation, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, ha have held the contract with North and South Ayrshire Council for over 17 years to deliver School Engagement and Work Placement activities. They work as part of DYW's wider Education Team is to support the school in engaging with local employers and facilitating these activities.
Below you can see a list of what's coming up before the academic year comes to an end.
You can sign up to any of the following or find out more by contacting: [email protected]
- May 2024 Date TBC - St Matthew’s Academy (Saltcoats) S4 Mock Interviews
- Monday 13th – 17th May – Woodlands Primary World of Work Week
- Friday 17th May 9.30am-12pm - Marr College Cluster P6 Transition Day at Marr College
- Wednesday 29th May 9.30am to 11.30am - Glencairn Primary (Stevenston) Careers Event
- Flexible until end May 2024: Crosshill Primary School (Maybole) Introduction to World of Work
- Tuesday 4th June 1pm-3pm - Invergarven School Health & Wellbeing Day
- Flexible any Wednesday from 2.15pm to 3.00pm until June 2024 - Glencairn Primary (Stevenston) Technology Assemblies
- Thursday 13th June 2024 Timing TBC - Arran High School Careers Event
- Flexible until end June 2024 - St Palladius Primary (Dalry) Digital and Technology Project Support
- Flexible until end June 2024 - St Palladius Primary (Dalry) Sustainability, Horticulture, Eco or Gardening Support
- Flexible any Friday until June 2024 - Lockhart Campus (Stevenston) Project Support on themes including anything related to Barista & Community Café, Creative & Sewing, Community Group, Horticulture & Beekeeping, Childcare, ICT & Business, Beauty & Nail Bar, Cycle Maintenance & Proficiency
Scotia's Commitment to a Highly Skilled Workforce
Scotia Windows and Doors have manufactured and installed high quality Double Glazing since 1983 and provides employment for over 180 people working from their 34,000 square foot factories in Ayrshire, and additional bases in Clackmannanshire.
RT Resources are the only training company in Scotland to deliver Glass & Glazing qualifications and have enjoyed a lengthy relationship with Scotia Windows and Doors. Over the past year, we have supported another 17 employees gain, and currently work towards achieving, their Glass Fenestration Qualification at SCQF Levels 5 & 6 via the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme funded by Skills Development Scotland.
Martin Woods, Newbuild Operations Director at Scotia Windows and Doors said,
“We believe offering employees all available training as a natural personal progression, receiving these qualifications, and reaching goals not only motivates but also enhances professionalism and adds value within the workplace. Scotia have had a long standing relationship with RT Resources, with the quality of service provided through the whole journey we have no hesitation in returning time and again.”
Our Glass and Glazing Assessors, Greig and Brian, work with the candidates to support them in achieving the various units for the qualification which include:
• Maintaining health and safety,
• Locate, transport, handle and position materials and components,
• Communicating and working with others
• Complying with building regulations.
• Diagnose & Rectify Technical problems
• Installation of windows/doors/conservatories
• Glazing
Installers Danny and Michael unpack units ready to install on site.
Michael completes the installation of patio doors.
Sean covering the windows to protect them from being damaged following installation procedures.
Some of the Apprentices complete their Core Skills in Numeracy and ITC.
When we asked Martin if he felt the qualification had improved the employee’s work practice he said,
“Definitely, I believe these courses/qualifications offer each individual a complete overview on their daily activities, opening up insight how they may view problems differently, or indeed highlight where personal weaknesses and strengths are.”
There are various pathways within the qualification. These can be chosen dependant on the employees job function. Candidates are also required to undertake Core Skills in Problem Solving, Numeracy and IT if they haven’t already achieved them at school, college or as part of a previous qualification.
Danny Sneddon, an Installer at Scotia said,
“I’ve just completed an SVQ Level 6 with RT Resources and all throughout the process Greig and the team were professional and very helpful. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in getting new qualifications.”
Greig, our Glass & Glazing Assessor went on to add,
“The guys at Scotia have all been great to work with and I’m looking forward to meeting the next group of Apprentices, who I’m sure will all demonstrate the same good work ethic which has been shown so far.
Whether it’s doing their coursework or carrying out procedures on site, all candidates apply themselves well and are completing units of their qualifications well within the expected timeframes”
Martin concluded by saying,
“Scotia, as a Company, has built a reputation on quality of service to every customer, it is of comfort to know the personal progression of all employees, the most valuable asset of any company, is in the safest of hands with RT Resources guiding them through their chosen qualification, to personal achievements.”
RT Resources look forward to continuing our working relationship with Scotia.
Lockhart Campus Project Launch
DYW Ayrshire were invited to Lockhart Campus on Friday, 22nd April to celebrate the launch of three of their Innovative School Projects; Beekeeping, Horticulture and Barista.
In attendance was also the parents/carers of pupils, DYW Ayrshire Chair and Walter Smith. Together, we were all welcomed to the launch by John Herd, Lockhart Campus DHT, who gave us an introduction and showed us how the projects have benefit pupils within the school. We then received a speech from DYW Ayrshire Chair, Lorna Gibson, before hearing from the pupils themselves. The pupils talked us through the projects with a presentation showing the work they've been doing with these projects.
The official opening then took place with a ribbon cutting before we received performances from the pupils in the choir who sang Tomorrow - Annie, What makes you beautiful - One Direction, This is me - The Greatest Showman and a solo of This is the Life by pupil Leon Doyle.
The pupils involved in the Beekeeping Project were able to create handmade soap and candles to sell as well as jars of honey. We were also kindly offered honey samples on this day. Hot drinks and biscuits were provided from the Barista and the pupils gave a tour of their Horticulture garden and showcased the work they have been doing and plan to do in the near future. With this project, they had created bird houses, different plants and other garden decorations to sell.
This was a very successful project launch. Well done to everyone on their hard work on each of these projects and those involved on this fantastic day!
Sector Spotlight - Construction
Sector Spotlight – March 2022
Our March Sector Spotlight had a focus on the Construction sector. Throughout the month we featured videos alongside various resources for a young person to find out more about careers and pathways within the this sector.
The businesses who supported our campaign throughout the month of March were Training First Safety, Menzies and Sons, Morgan Sindall and Ayrshire College. These businesses provided career insights by showcasing their jobs, what they do and how to get started in this industry.
Another great source of job role information is the PlanitPlus and the My World of Work Website which is a useful platform for young people to connect their skills and interests to different job roles. We featured job information on some of the roles involved in the Construction sector. As well as this, the Princes Trust, CSCS and Ayrshire College provided useful resources to showcase the current jobs and courses available within this sector whilst highlighting the different activities within each job role that falls into Construction.
You can catch up on our past DYW Ayrshire Sector Spotlight’s by visiting the news page on our website or by following the hashtag #DYWSectorSpotlight on social media.
Queen Margaret Academy Careers Fair 2022
On Wednesday, 30th March, we attended a careers fair at Queen Margaret Academy.
In attendance we had 28 businesses who came along to talk to senior phase pupils about their organisations and how young people can pursue a career with them. This was a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about the different areas of work across a variety of industry sectors!
The DYW Ayrshire team also had discussions with businesses about future engagements, as all businesses were looking to continue their support in other forms; hosting work experience placements, offering workplace visits, offering to host mock interviews. The support we received on the day of the event and for the future was overwhelming and we are grateful to all of the businesses for their ongoing support.
Thank you to the following who volunteered to come along to this event and made it a success:
J&D Pierce, Booth Welsh, NHS, DSM, Linear Design & Construction, Hub South West, Ashleigh Scotland, Morgan Sindall, Woodward, Neogen, SAC Employability & Skills, William Duncan, Ayr Gaiety, UWS, RAF, Tesco, Regency Clean, GE Caledonian, Egger, Army, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Wlildpacks, Break the Silence, South Ayrshire Council and Buzzworks.
