Pupils get insight into world of work
Developing the Young Workforce events
A West Lothian primary school welcomed a range of professions to talk to pupils as part of its Developing the Young Workforce Week.
Pumpherston and Uphall Community Primary School held their second annual event recently.
The parent council and school management team came up with the idea for the programme of sessions last year to encourage parents to come into the school to share with the children different jobs and careers and the skills, qualifications and values you require to fulfil these roles.
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) is a programme organised by the Scottish Government that aims to better prepare children and young people aged three to 18 for the world of work.
A spokesperson for the school said: “This year we had a range of speakers and visitors from our local community and beyond. We also used a website called Founders4Schools and our contact Arlene Nicol from West Lothian DYW to find people to visit us.
“Thanks go to all those who came into classes to talk and demonstrate. You helped bring professions such as midwifery, hair design, fish farming, fencing, archaeology, postal worker, firefighters, charity and care to life. Thanks also to the STEM students at West Lothian College for explaining the importance of learning to our careers.
“The children gave lots of positive feedback about the experience.
“We really enjoyed hearing from Mr Walker about his job building and customising motorcycles.
“We even got to design our own motorbikes. The children absolutely loved the week and had some great questions to ask.
“The parents enjoyed talking to the classes and being part of the learning in the school.
“To mark the end of our Developing the Young Workforce Week, we had our ‘Apprentice’ Assembly.
“Jenny Campbell from Resilience Engine started by sharing her business journey.
“Our judging panel consisted of Jenny, John Sexton (West Lothian Digital Learning Team) and Arlene Nicol (West Lothian Developing the Young Workforce).
“The panel had a tough job of selecting the winners of our ‘Digital Character Challenge’.”
The children absolutely love the week and had some great questions to ask