Closing the Gap is revised to contribute to Glasgow's regeneration

Glasgow’s continued drive to regenerate large areas of the City coupled to its winning of the Commonwealth Games in 2014 will result in an increase of opportunities across the City, especially for young people about to leave school.

Scottish Business in the Community is working closely with the City’s Education Department to ensure that young people are more aware of, and better equipped to make a successful transition into, the world of work.

As others seek to ensure that there are Modern Apprenticeships available for every school leaver likely to benefit, SBC are establishing a series of programmes involving businesses in their delivery that will enhance young peoples’ employability skills and their chances of competing for a job/modern apprenticeship.  SBC’s offering will include:

·          Carousels

·          Job Preparation Programmes

·          Employability Courses

·          Mentoring

Carousels will raise awareness of Modern Apprenticeships, provide young people with a better understanding of the needs of selected industrial sectors, the benefits of working in them and provide an understanding of the qualifications/qualities required to be a Modern Apprentice. Events will include a series of business-led presentations and question and answer sessions.

Job Preparation Programmes will be aimed at young people who are almost job-ready but require a relatively low level of intervention. The programme will prepare partcipants for applying for employment/Modern Apprenticeships.  For young people who require more in-depth training to improve their employability skills, Employability Courses are designed to provide real work context will be delivered by volunteers from business.

For those young people that require relatively high levels of intervention we are seeking to strengthen our current one-to-one Mentoring programme. SBC will work with businesses to train their staff to become mentors and will work with both mentors and school staff to ensure that this element of our provision is tailored to the needs of identified young people.

Scottish Business in the Community has 26 years experience of working with businesses and building links with schools.  SBC believes the programme will help to raise aspirations and increase access to opportunities.

For more information and how to get involved contact Bob Christie, SBC Glasgow, bobchristie@sbcscot.com 0141 554 1441