Lochaber study leave boost for job seekers

Study leave is the time of year when numerous students are studying for exams but it can also be a good opportunity for pupils to visit the local college or businesses to gain exposure to a workplace environment and learn numerous skills, helping to make the transition from education to employment easier.

Seven S4 Lochaber High School students took advantage of such an opportunity and successfully completed a DYW WH month long programme of activities which would help to equip them with CV writing and interview skills, First Aid knowledge and information about local, available opportunities. Activities included employability workshops where pupils learned CV and cover letter writing techniques, workplace tours, a certified First Aid course and employer led mock-interviews. Students enjoyed workplace tours of Liberty Smelter, Marine Harvest and the Isles of Glencoe Hotel where they learned about available training opportunities and participated in activities that taught them the value of good teamwork, communication and leadership. Additionally, pupils were also given the option to visit the local college and choose what course classes they would like to sit in on and shadow which is a fantastic opportunity for young people considering higher education after their high school years. As a finishing touch, students used the knowledge they gained over four weeks to participate in employer-led mock interviews before each pupil was presented with an employability skills certificate. These were presented to the students by Isles of Glencoe Hotel managers, Andrew Purdon and John Hart. These certificates will be useful for the seven pupils as they can take their award along to interviews and use their knowledge and acquired skills to succeed in the workplace.