We’re delighted to share some excellent coverage Young Glasgow Talent received in the Herald and Evening Times over the last few days.
Announcing YGT’s latest partnership, the pieces outline what City Building’s support will mean for Glasgow’s care experienced young people.
As well as providing a volunteer mentor for every care experienced young person in Glasgow, Young Glasgow Talent is committed to delivering Talent Tasters. Thanks to our incredible partners, young people are learning more about the world of work. Organisations, large and small, are opening their doors, ensuring aspirations are truly sparked!
City Building is the latest company to join forces with MCR Pathways to give young people in Glasgow the career opportunities they deserve. Joining partners such as the University of Strathclyde, Wheatley Group and Sweco.
As the largest employer of apprentices in Scotland City Building provides a perfect platform for young people to gain work experience across all disciplines of the industry from its training college in Glasgow. Our latest coverage also shares what our young people think of the opportunity.
Like other partners, City Building are also encouraging their own staff to become volunteer mentors to our city’s young people.
As well as helping to facilitate the YGT City Building Talent Tasters, Lynsey has also signed up to become a volunteer mentor for MCR. Identifying her City Building colleagues as ideal candidates for the volunteer mentoring role.
She said, “I believe trades people make great mentors, although they themselves might not think it. Most of them have been through apprenticeships and are now teaching young people. You’ll find older trades people have a great set of life skills that they could pass on to a young person and help them find the right path.”
Lynsey herself is an electrician to trade. Currently the City Building Training Centre Manager, she has been in their employment for 23 years and recognises how important Taster opportunities can be: “2% of construction workers are female but City Building’s rate is 5.5%. Culturally the perception is that jobs in construction are dirty and dangerous, and not for females – but that’s not the case. It’s about changing that mindset.”
The organisation’s people management practices are widely acclaimed, with the company recently winning a trio of awards including Diverse Social Enterprise of the Year, Public Sector Employer of the Year and a People Development Award. Offering an incredible opportunity for our young people to work with and learn from an inspiring cohort!
Gavin is a joiner to trade and Development Manager for City Buildings and was there to deliver the first YGT City Building Talent Taster: “It’s good to show what it’s actually like. Young people know they need to raise their game, present and conduct themselves in a reliable and responsible manner. Some people may have an idea of what it’s like being a joiner. They might think they’ll be working in a workshop every day but that’s not the reality. They could be outside on building sites in all weathers.”
The construction company recently delivered its first MCR Talent Taster with pupils from St Roch’s Secondary School, St Andrew’s Secondary and Drumchapel High School. During the three hour session, pupils learned basic joinery skills and built a window frame.
Cammy, 14, from St Roch’s Secondary School said: “This is brilliant. I’d like to become either a joiner or an electrician, I like working with my hands and I don’t want a desk job.”
Meanwhile Robbie, 14, from Drumchapel High School, who had finished two window frames, said: “I’ve been wanting to be a joiner since I was a wee boy and to get this opportunity to try it out is great.”
Darci, 14, Drumchapel High School said: “I’m interested in becoming a joiner. I really wanted to try this out to see what it’s like. My brother is a joiner. I’ve been speaking to him about it.”
YGT works with all industries, from construction to medical and dental, hospitality, sales and retail and professional services. There’s been Talent Tasters for football coaching, working in art galleries and concert venues, paralegal services to engineering and engine servicing.
We have more young people signing up for Young Glasgow Talent’s help. They need mentors to make a huge difference to their confidence, educational outcomes and future life chances. Can you help them? Find out more about becoming a mentor.
Can your organisation help? To become involved in our Talent Taster programme, alongside our partners such as City Building, The Herald and Wheatley Group, get involved.
We’re always looking for new mentors to reach all the new young people who are coming on board with the programme. Help us spread the word by letting your friends and family know how worthwhile mentoring can be!
