Businesses Support Youth Employability in Dundee

At present, a large number of young people in Scotland are currently not in education, employment or training which many businesses recognise is a waste of potential and talent. At the same time, companies in Scotland have expressed concern that those young people who do come into the workplace do not always have the range of employability skills that businesses require.

As a result, a number of businesses in Dundee have come together to support young people and act as businesses mentors to help impart employability skills and support them into a positive destination.  Based on the SBC, Closing the Gap Model in Glasgow, the pilot which has started in Craigie High School and Braeview Academy has already created great excitement amongst the young pupils and the businesses. March saw the first mentor meeting taking place at Criagie High School, which went very well. Amongst the businesses taking part are; Norwich Union, Marks and Spencer, The APEX Hotel Dundee, Enterprise Rent a Car, Dundee Storage and Removals, Charlie Taylor Salons and the University of Abertay.

The mentors will meet their pupil for an hour every month to help build their confidence and share their experience of the world of work. All the mentors have expressed a personal interest in supporting young people and recognise that it can be challenging for some young people to make a positive transition. From the business perspective, this as an opportunity to provide professional and career development opportunities for staff and to raise the businesses positive profile in the community.  

If you are interested in participating in the mentoring programme, please contact Lara Friedman on 0131 451 1100.