School’s business learning scheme a success

Multinational company Veolia has teamed up with Arbroath High School to develop the next generation of business leaders.

The waste management company aims to educate young people on the circular economy and how the world will look in 2050.

Current second-year pupils will be aged around 42 in 2050, a time which sees many professionals step into their first leadership role.

In a bid to educate the workers of the future, Veolia operates a Future Leaders programme which challenges pupils to develop their leadership skills, work as a team and communicate effectively.

Veolia community and engagement coordinator Matthew Pastellas said: “We live in a world of finite resources and Veolia is determined to play its part in ensuring there is positive change by 2050.

“The S2 pupils at Arbroath High are future leaders and we are determined to provide opportunities to them which will see them become effective leaders.”

As operators of the Hatton Wastewater Treatment Works, near Arbroath, Veolia delivered a series of engagement days to the pupils.

These proved so successful the company worked with the school to develop an application process for those interested, which further helped to equip second-year pupils with vital skills for the future.

The successful pupils then took part in a workshop with a circular economy start-up business, which included a jewellery maker, and attended a two-night residential trip which focused on developing leadership and teambuilding skills.