Barnardo’s Scotland has been running employability programmes in the Highlands for the past 16 years, working with young people post-education and readying them for the world of work.
The charity supports them to understand employer expectations and helps them build resilience so they are ready to cope with the pressures and demands of employers.
Just under two years ago, Barnardo’s secured a contract with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to help introduce people to construction-related jobs and, more importantly, to help them keep their jobs.
Barnardo’s developed a mentor programme on the back of this partnership to support this goal. Through CITB, the charity secured funding to continue to run its employability programmes to get young people ready for the world of work in construction.
Through this programme, Barnardo’s delivers SQA-accredited qualifications – Self & Work and The Principles of Money – including a one-day ‘Health & Safety in a Construction Environment’ course and preparation to carry out their CSCS touch screen test. This enables the participants to cover the basics before trying for a work experience placement under Barnardo’s.
The charity then offers a one-week work placement with an employer to introduce them to working in the construction industry. If successful, they are then transitioned into employment, which is further supported through the mentorship programme.
Around a year ago, W M Donald was introduced to Patricia Anderson, the Employer Liaison & SACO Project Coordinator at Barnardo’s. Following discussions, it was clear that there were synergies and aligned values in wanting to support and offer opportunities to young people into jobs.
Rachel O’Donnell, HR Manager, and Barry Smeaton, Commercial Manager North, both of W M Donald, met with mentor programme participants Johnathon Campbell, Kai Mulroy and Myles Fraser, who were offered two weeks of work experience. The trio worked hard, showed commitment and were all successful in gaining full-time employment.
Congratulations to Johnathon and Kai, who are now full-time apprentices, and Myles, who is now a Trainee Engineer. All have worked with W M Donald for almost eight months. Your hard work and determination have paid off. Well done!
Patricia Anderson, Employer Liaison & SACO Project Coordinator at Barnardo’s, commented:
“What I love about W M Donald is that it is very much a family business, and it was so lovely to work alongside a business that I knew were going to treat people fairly and make them feel like they are part of the ‘work family’.”
Patricia continues: “Our mentees have been put through apprenticeships at college by W M Donald, and I am so proud of what they have achieved. I am also very grateful to Rachel, Barry and the team for fully supporting Johnathon, Kai and Myles in gaining and retaining successful full-time work.
“I can’t say enough about the relationship with the W M Donald team and very much look forward to our ongoing partnership in getting more young people into construction-based jobs and helping them stay there.”
To find out more about the Barnardo’s Scotland employability programmes, please visit: www.barnardos-ets.org.uk
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