Dundee Metropolis Council has once more supported the Profession Prepared initiative by giving younger individuals paid internships to allow them to see the potential work alternatives in an area authority.
Over 4 weeks this summer time, 9 senior secondary pupils skilled completely different facets of companies throughout their internships throughout council and well being and social care partnership groups.
The younger individuals benefitted from one-to-one assist and steering from a volunteer council mentor over the 18-month whole interval of the programme.
Along with the hands-on expertise the younger individuals obtained, they undertook mock interviews and obtained e-learning alternatives. They took half in a backyard tidy-up for Alzheimer’s Scotland, gained life-saving expertise by a course with Heartstart Discovery and in addition attended an consciousness session with psychological well being charity Feeling Sturdy.
The younger individuals additionally accompanied metropolis centre ambassadors to see their work behind the scenes, and had been additionally given a tour of the Metropolis Chambers and met the Lord Provost.
The younger individuals have given their reflections on the finish of the initiative.
Casey Glaister, St Paul’s RC Academy, who carried out her internship with Massive Noise Douglas, mentioned: “I used to be given duty and respect and appreciated being handled as an grownup. With my data of music and the truth that I additionally have already got some expertise working with kids I used to be in a position to simply crack on and get caught in! I’ve accomplished this placement feeling extra assured and with a greater understanding of what I wish to do sooner or later.”
Chloe Nixon, Braeview Academy, whose internship was organized with the Studying Disabilities workforce, Dundee Well being & Social Care Partnership, mentioned: The 2 primary areas I hoped to enhance on was my confidence and my communication expertise. “Each week over the 4-week internship I used to be in a brand new work setting which meant I used to be assembly new individuals on a regular basis. This meant I used to be repeatedly engaged on my communication, not solely with the completely different employees but in addition the completely different service customers.”
Emily McGregor, Morgan Academy, who was primarily based with the council’s architectural companies workforce, mentioned: My internship has helped me to determine that I want to pursue a profession in design the place I get the chance to be inventive. This expertise has ready me for my subsequent steps because it has actually solidified my ardour and understanding of what I wish to do with my life.
“I might positively advocate the Profession Prepared programme to any younger individual struggling to get began within the working world and have actually loved my time with Dundee Metropolis Council.”
Joshua Izedome Memeh, St Paul’s RC Academy frolicked with the inner audit workforce. He mentioned: “I loved being handled similar to a brand new worker. At first, I used to be apprehensive speaking to individuals older than me however steadily and it began to really feel pure. I used to be actually shocked by the quantity of various work undertaken by the Council and it has opened my eyes that there are roles that exist that attraction to me. I’m grateful that I’ve participated within the Profession Prepared programme because it has helped me to attain expertise and expertise that I didn’t have which is able to assist me once I depart faculty.”
Katie Ferry, Braeview Academy, labored with the town promotion workforce. She mentioned: “The factor I loved most about my internship was attending the Karate World Championships (WUKF). This was a good way for me to see first-hand simply how the conference bureau from Dundee Metropolis Council works and what they do to make sure the occasion is as profitable as potential. I used to be fortunate sufficient to be concerned within the preparations for this occasion. This was nice to see as I felt I had a specific perception into the occasion.”
Libby McKenzie, Braeview Academy, labored with the Well being & Neighborhood Care workforce. She mentioned: “I appreciated receiving an perception into the roles of a care assistant and nurse as this has helped me to determine my future profession. I discovered it difficult to enter an space the place I had no coaching or expertise however I overcame this by staying engaged, asking a number of questions and gaining an understanding on tips on how to react in tough conditions.”
Poppy Leslie, Baldragon Academy, frolicked with the Tayside MacMillan Enhancing the Most cancers Journey workforce. She mentioned: “This internship has ready me for work because it has helped me develop key expertise resembling communication, IT expertise and analysis expertise which is able to all be helpful for my future profession.
“Originally of this internship I needed to develop my communication expertise and confidence. On the finish of this internship, I really feel extra assured introducing myself to individuals and talking up when working in a bunch. This has occurred by individuals being supportive in conferences and group settings.”
Rebecca How, Morgan Academy, was primarily based with native non-profit organisation Uppertunity offering actions for adults with further wants and studying disabilities. She mentioned: “I loved getting concerned with the completely different artwork tasks and seeing the people use their creativeness to create their very own designs. I significantly loved with the ability to assist them and so this internship has helped me to understand that I want to pursue a profession involving artwork but on the similar time supporting others.”
Sophie Watson, St John’s Excessive College, gained expertise at The Nook, a Well being & Info service for younger individuals. She mentioned: “I really feel grateful for being given the chance to take part within the Profession Prepared programme and to undertake the 4-week internship. My mentor and different members of the workforce helped me to get probably the most out of the expertise as I developed expertise that can help me to get a job once I depart faculty. I’m nonetheless not clear what job I want to do in future however this expertise has helped me to grasp that I would love a profession serving to younger individuals. Merely having a considerable quantity of labor expertise has helped to organize me for work sooner or later”.
Kids, households and communities convener Councillor Stewart Hunter added: “As an employer making an attempt to encourage alternatives for younger individuals, it will be important that the council helps the Profession Prepared initiative.
“This offers them invaluable insights into the work of the council, lets them perceive what {qualifications} they may want and arms them with expertise that can assist in writing CVs and for interviews.
“I want all of them effectively for his or her future and hope that their time being mentored within the council will encourage them to attain their targets.”
Extra particulars on the work of the Profession Prepared charity and paid internships can be found at https://careerready.org.uk/scotland/
