Date:
Friday, 2 June, 2017
Eighteen local young people who attend the Positive Achievements project in Kirkintilloch were in the spotlight this week as they came to the end of a six month programme of learning. At an awards ceremony in Hillhead Community Centre, their friends, family and invited guests heard how the young people had successfully completed a range of vocational and educational challenges. This included:
- An 18 week School Leaver programme for young people age 15-16 who are still attending school
- An 18 week JET (Jobs, Education and Training) programme for 16-20 year olds who have already left school
- An 18 week Posi+ programme for learners aged 19-30
- An accredited food hygiene certificated course
- Two outdoor education & life skills focussed residential trips (one to Aberfoyle and one to Aviemore).
During their time at the project all young people and learners take part in a life skills cooking programme to learn basic independent living and cooking skills such as budgeting. They also take part in gardening projects where they build bird boxes for local forests and woodlands.
Council Leader, Gordan Low presented the young people with their certificates and congratulated them on their success.
He said, “This was such an inspiring and enjoyable event to celebrate the hard work and achievements of local young people. They have all taken part in a huge range of activities, learning vital skills and gaining invaluable experience along the way.
“It was especially interesting to hear about the residential trips and to listen to the young people themselves say how the experience has helped to build confidence and self-esteem while encouraging them to become more independent using new skills.”
Councillor Low continued, “I would like to reaffirm the Council’s commitment to delivering this important project which aims to support vulnerable young people into employment, education, training and/or volunteering. Over the last six months these young award winners have made great strides towards those goals. They should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
The project works with a number of Council services to deliver a full programme and also relies on support from the following partners:
- Community Growing Team
- East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action &
- Effective Solutions
- NHSGGC (Greater Glasgow & Clyde)
- Police Scotland
- Scottish Forestry Commission
- Skills Development Scotland
- Zero Waste Scotland
Another six month session of courses and activities start in July/August 2017. To find out more about what’s on offer and how to get involved please email positive.achievements@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0141 777 3099.
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