Developing your staff through working with young people

During the first two weeks in September, staff from more than 7 large and small businesses in Dundee will resume a unique schools mentoring programme. The programme helps to build one-to-one relationships between a business employee and an S4 pupil by pairing them up. The programme brings benefits to both the pupils by helping to increase their confidence, understanding of the world of work and draw out their potential and the mentors who develop their mentoring skills, gain personal satisfaction and raise their companies CSR profile.

The programme which started last summer term operates in two schools in Dundee. It will continue until June 2009, during which time employees commit to up to 2 hours a month to work with a pupil. The response so far from the business mentors, pupils and the schools has been extremely positive. The schools have already started to notice changes in the pupil’s confidence and engagement, while all the business employees have restated their commitment to continuing as mentors. The programme serves as an important example of how business can help to increase the flow of young people into positive post school destinations, while at the same time, gaining positive business benefits.

 Businesses participating in the Dundee mentoring programme include, Marks and Spencer, Apex Hotel, Norwich Union, Enterprise Rent a Car, Dundee Storage and Removals, Charlie Taylors Hairdressing and Gordon Morris Consulting.   

 Similar programmes are operating in Edinburgh and Glasgow and any businesses interested in taking up this opportunity should contact Lara Friedman at SBC on 0131 451 1100.