Local jobs for young people in North Edinburgh

Two local young people have gained full time employment after having successfully completed their job placements though a school partnership with SBC North Edinburgh. The partnership developed by SBC, links North Edinburgh High Schools with the business community in order to help local young people find jobs and training opportunities.

And Aaron Hunter (16) from Drylaw is a really great example of the results of this partnership in practise. Aaron who went to Broughton High School started his placement with Farmer Autocare in September. He so impressed the manager with his time keeping and work ethic that within three months they decided to offer him a full time job.  General Manager, Jim McLean of the Hillhouse Road Branch explained, “Aaron is a brilliant lad and just the type of young person Farmer Autocare is delighted to employ. He is just so keen and enthusiastic. When he was a trainee, Aaron was due to finish at 3pm and by 4pm he was still here so we had to chase him home. Jim continued, “Farmer Autocare has always had a very strong sense of social responsibility. Sir Tom Farmer’s philosophy is to bring young people in, train them, develop them and give them a good future.” 

Asked what he thought of his job Aaron said,” It is really, really good and much better than school. School can only do so much to prepare you for work but here I get training and a chance to develop my skills. I am training to be a tyre fitter but my ultimate goal is to go to college and study to become a mechanical fitter.”

Like Aaron, Jamie Leigh Gibb from Pilton (16) is a true success story. She always knew that she wanted to be a hairdresser and when she was given the chance of a work placement at local Hairdressers Bensons she jumped at the chance. Jamie Leigh said, “I have been working full time since Christmas and just love my job. The work placement gave me the chance of doing something I really wanted to do. I like meeting people and enjoy talking to my clients and am so happy Bensons has given me a chance to prove myself.”

Owner of the Telford Road shop Kevin Benson said, “Jamie Leigh’s placement has been a great success and we were only too pleased to offer her a full time job. She is keen, willing to listen and learn, reliable, willing to help and most of all the clients like her.

“We are delighted to be part of this successful SBC, school partnership.”

If you have a local company large or small and would be interested in becoming involved in SBC North Edinburgh activities and volunteering please contact Hazel McDonald, SBC North Edinburgh Manager, on 0131 529 5272.