Tag Archives: east lothian council

Young Person’s Guarantee Case Study: Medusa

Medusa have accessed YPG funding to support to the creation of 2 new positions within the team. They have been able to create these opportunities for Cerys and Sadie.

“We have found the YPG paid placement scheme to be really beneficial to our organisation,

It has allowed us to invest in training numerous young people, and with out the support of the programme it would have had an adverse impact on the company’s ability to operate normally.

We are extremely appreciative of the support and the opportunities the scheme has allowed us.”

“Being able to get a funded position in Medusa has given me the best possible start in my career. I have gained so many new skills not only in actually doing hair training but also as a person I am much more confident in communicating and working with others.” – Sadie.

Young Person’s Guarantee Case Study: Forth Blinds

Forth Blinds has been trading since 2015 and now employs 8 people. Like most small businesses, recruitment for additional team members begins when there is an immediate need for the role to be filled. This often meant a hastily arranged interview and selection process. Furthermore, because the person was needed straight away he/she had to have a good knowledge of fitting blinds in order to be able to hit the ground running.  Finding someone with these skills was extremely difficult.

In order to be proactive and ahead of the game, Forth Blinds made a conscious decision to ‘recruit before needed’. The cost implications here are significant so it was a case of how best to afford this. Scottish Government initiatives to create jobs for young people seemed the way forward.

East Lothian Works were contacted, and several options were available to the company. The Young Persons Guarantee (YPG) scheme was the most appropriate and Forth Blinds applied for and were granted funding for an Assistant Blind Installer. The whole process was simple and uncomplicated.

Six weeks later Andrew, 17 years old, joined the business. A simple training plan was drawn up and he spent the first week having instructional and theoretical training in the office. This had never been done previously so Andrew was well prepared for when he went out with the experienced installers. Good quality fitting tools were bought with the funding given. Seven months into the programme Andrew’s customer service skills are superb and his confidence and maturity have risen beyond recognition.

“I am enjoying my time at Forth Blinds and feel I am gaining great experience and knowledge.  I like that every day is different, and I look forward to learning more.” – Andrew.

I encourage any business owner wanting to grow and develop their organization to contact East Lothian Works. Not only do Forth Blinds have a superbly trained installer on board but this has now freed up one of the other experienced installers to be trained in measuring and surveying – another major step forward for the company. The YPG scheme will be instrumental in Forth Blinds meeting its long-term goals and objectives.
Phil O’Brien, Director, Forth Blinds Ltd

Kickstart Case Study: East Lothian Council Protective Services

When we were recruiting staff for our new Testing Centre in Stoneyhill, we decided that we would like to give someone who was currently out of work the opportunity to come and work for us.   We thought that the Kickstart Initiative was great, as it offered a young person the chance to join our Team, for 6 months when we could offer work in a supportive team environment where they could learn new skills, build their confidence and gain some experience working as a member of a team.

Connor came into the Team not knowing anyone or anything about the job, he has taken this opportunity and has become a very important member of our Testing Team.  Connor is valued by everyone in the Team, he can carry out every aspect of the job with confidence and ease.   We hope that this opportunity will help Connor to take the skills and experience he has gained to help him now to move into a permanent job.

Connor says that “this experience has improved my confidence and I have enjoyed every minute of it”

Connor’s position has also been extended with the support of funding through Young Person’s Guarantee. This has allowed him to continue working with the team and continue supporting the local community through the Testing programme.

Hibs Coaching Success For East Lothian Student

Congratulations to Blake, an East Lothian student who has made full use of the School College Partnership programme and has landed himself a coaching place with Hibernian FC Youth Academy!

Hibs have recognised Blake’s passion for the sport and his determination to start a career in football and have offered him the brilliant opportunity of coaching twice a week. This opportunity arose when Blake joined the Hibs course as part of the School College Partnership programme. The course covers employability opportunities within sport outside of being a football player. With around 50 different job titles within the club there are many paths one can take to find a career they enjoy, have interest in and feel passionately about.

“Working with the group to develop coaching plans has been great. I have also really enjoyed coaching with Hibs over the last few weeks and would love to keep doing it” –Blake

The team working with Blake have found him to be great member of the group, helpful, engaging and deserving of this opportunity.

“Blake has been an excellent part of the group, always willing to contribute. It is clear to see that football is his passion and he is taking practical steps to fulfil his potential. It’s been refreshing to see him show the initiative to give up his evenings to coach the younger generation and make strides towards his own goals. He is clearly focussed on this career path and if maintains this momentum, I am sure he will succeed.” –Ross Young, Employability Intervention Officer

If you would like to find out more about the School College Partnership programme, please visit https://www.edubuzz.org/eastlothianworks/wp-content/blogs.dir/2289/files/2021/04/2021-SCP-Course-Prospectus.pdf

Ceilidh dancing for esol students

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On Monday night a group of our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners, along with their tutors, took to the dance floor for a truly Scottish night. Attendees were accompanied by an accordionist, and learnt a selection of traditional Scottish ceilidh dances in order to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day (30th of November).

Three ESOL classes joined in the merriment, with a mixture of dancing, clapping, and spectating taking place. It was a fantastic night, with fun had by all!

If you’re interested in our ESOL programme, please contact East Lothian Works on:

Email: elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk
Tel: 01620 827 262

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Foundation Apprenticeship Interview with a Scientific Technologies Student

Today we are speaking to Emma, a Scientific Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship student, in order to learn about her experiences on the programme. This is part of a series on this blog in which we meet with Foundation Apprenticeship students on all five of the frameworks on offer in East Lothian to find out more about this opportunity.

Continue reading Foundation Apprenticeship Interview with a Scientific Technologies Student →

Foundation Apprenticeship Interview with Business Skills Students

Today we are speaking to two students, Sarah and Lewis, who are currently undertaking the Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills, in order to learn about their experiences on the programme. This is part of a series on this blog in which we meet with Foundation Apprenticeship students on all five of the frameworks on offer in East Lothian to find out more about the opportunity.

Continue reading Foundation Apprenticeship Interview with Business Skills Students →

A Day with the Pre-Voc Cooking Course

I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to spend some time at East Lothian Works’ Cookery Courses. These classes run as part of the Pre-Vocational programme, giving secondary school students the opportunity to learn new skills and perhaps find a passion for a certain career. Students undertaking the cookery course get the opportunity to practice their cooking and baking skills, learn about health and safety in the workplace, and learn about where food comes from and how it can be used from professionals in the field.

The first class I visited consisted of students from Musselburgh Grammar, Ross High School, and Preston Lodge. They were at Edinburgh College on this occasion, attending a seminar on food health and safety. The class themselves were an incredible bunch; really lively and interested in what they were learning about. The students were from different schools, but they had all formed strong relationships as a result of this course.

Students learning about food health and safety.

The second group I visited were spending the day at Musselburgh Grammar in the kitchens learning how to cook multiple courses at once; it smelt incredible! This class consisted of students from Preston Lodge, Knox Academy, and North Berwick High School. Once again, this class were fantastic, getting stuck in and producing some amazing results. I was incredibly impressed with the work being done.

A student in the Cookery class making soup.

The cookery course offers students the chance to learn new skills that will be useful in a career in the culinary arts, and also in their daily lives. I would like to thank the teachers and students for allowing me into their class. I would also like to extend a thank you to Edinburgh College, Musselburgh Grammar School, and Knox Academy for providing us with use of their kitchens for this course.

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Paddle Boarding Trip

Today’s post focuses on Matthew, one of the young people we work with at East Lothian Works. He has recently completed his Activity Agreement with the Transitions Team, and has since successfully moved on to a Positive Destination.

Matthew has engaged in several activities and courses, and as a result he has learnt many valuable skills, such as good time keeping, reliability, team working, and confidence. The final activity Matthew participated in with his Employment Support Worker Steve Nelson, was to spend an afternoon learning to Stand Up Paddle, which involved reliability, confidence, trust, and listening to and following instructions. But it also involved a great deal of fun!

We wish Matthew all the best for the future as he moves on to a college course (Professional Cookery). Watch this space for the next celebrity chef!

Keep up to date with East Lothian Works:
Twitter – twitter.com/EL_Works
Facebook – facebook.com/EastLothianWorks