|
In May 2019 pupils in S3, 4 and 5 at Wallace High school were exposed to numerous career pathways from within the Mechanics sector from skate maintenance to HGV repairs. Local partners JAG Auto Engineers Ltd, MTS Recovery & Repairs Ltd and The Skate People collaborated to show young people the practicalities of their sector. Alongside GTG Training/Arnold Clark's interactive apprenticeship van, showcasing the exciting world of automotive apprenticeships, young people were able to gain some hands on exposure to this pathway. Approximately 40 pupils visited the showcase spending quality time with talking with the local experts, handling equiptment and taking part in interactive activities. JAG Auto Engineers Ltd provided the groups with the opportunity to observe under the hood of a Mitsubishi Evo 6, handle the Montesa 315 Trials Bike, learn how to perform oil/fluid checks, handle various broken/faulty brakes, suspensions and clutches and understand how to differentiate between them. Kathy and also talked the young people through the requirements for entry into a mechanics apprenticeship and what would make candidate stand out, such as relevant hobbies/interests they can be developing whilst still at school.
The second business to partner up with Wallace High in support of this event was MTS Recovery & Repairs Ltd, based in Throsk. Having offered work placements to pupils in the past, frequently recruiting for apprentices and with a current recruitment drive ongoing Andy was keen to be more involved. His drive as an employer was to have a more direct impact on what young people learn about the sector from an earlier age, with the hope that this would help them to make more informed and sustainable decisions about their future. "Hopefully, directly informing young people of what the job actually involes earlier in their education, as well as the earning potential as they progress, will increase their interest in chosing the motor trade as a serious career choice." One aim of this event was to increase young people's knowledge of the skills they can develop from an early age and how they can contribute to the success of thier desired career pathway, so we invited Gregor and Natasha along from The Skate People and Rollerbeats to demonstrate the association between hobbies and skills for life. Through drawing comparrisons between the hobbies they were passionate about and the expertise they gain through taking part in them, the young people of Wallace High are more able to identify specific examples they could talk confidently about at interview or within their CV. "The pupils absolutely loved it, there were so engaged and really gained a lot from all of the different presentations. A few of them would really like to pursue a career within the industry and they now know the relevant skills and qualifications they need to do this." To find out how to get involved in activity with education please email us at getinvolved@dyw.forthvalley.ac.uk
|
