Annabelle Ewing meets Edinburgh College construction apprentices
Edinburgh College threw open its doors for a Construction Apprenticeship Open Day today to give young people the chance to find out about industry career routes and link up with employers and training providers.
And the minister for youth and women’s employment, Annabelle Ewing MSP, called in this afternoon to support the event – and gamely tried her hand at some traditional construction skills too!
The college has teamed up with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Historic Scotland to demonstrate the kinds of apprenticeship opportunities available to potential apprentices, employers and careers advisors, and professional development opportunities for tradespeople.
Around 30 training providers, construction companies, local councils, universities, equipment suppliers, skills organisations and heritage groups were on hand to show how they can support apprentices, employers and professionals to find the careers, employees and skills they need, as well as funding opportunities.
The event was packed with stands, demonstrations, presentations and the chance to try out construction skills, with a focus on traditional construction skills: guests and visitors were invited to try stonemasonry, carpentry and joinery, roofing, plastering, brickwork, painting and decorating and plumbing – and some even tested their skills on mini diggers!
‘Around 4% of the population of Lothian have diabetes – which although is a life-long condition, as Scott has proved, it does not need to stop you living a full and normal life’ – Dr Alan Jaap
Hibernian midfield star Scott Allan inspired young people with diabetes at a special event at Easter Road on Monday. Scott was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, and the recently-named SPFL Championship Player of the Year is the perfect person to prove that the condition need not stand in the way of a successful sporting career.
The event, the first in a series of health promotion activities planned by the Hibernian Community Foundation and NHS Lothian, saw around 100 children who have been diagnosed with diabetes and their families hear Scott talk about how he manages his condition as a sportsman.
Scott said: “I am delighted to be asked to provide positive messages to young people with diabetes. If they can draw some extra energy from meeting with me and having a conversation about how I manage my diabetes then that is fantastic. The fact that so many people want to come along is really humbling.”
Leeann Dempster, Chief Executive of Hibernian FC and a Director of the Hibernian Community Foundation, said: “Scott is a high profile professional athlete and sportsman who has managed to build a successful career despite being diagnosed with diabetes.
“He manages the condition very successfully, even during matches, and because of the help and support he has received is keen to help children and young people with diabetes understand the condition, how it can be managed better, and how much can be achieved despite it. Scott approached us to say he was keen to help in any way that he could, and to raise awareness of diabetes.”
Dr. Alan Jaap, Consultant in Diabetes, NHS Lothian, said: “Around 4% of the population of Lothian have diabetes – which although is a life-long condition, as Scott has proved, it does not need to stop you living a full and normal life. I’m sure Scott will act as an inspiration and positive role model for all of the youngsters attending.”
Scott has always had to consider his type 1 diabetes when playing football – his diagnosis came when he was just three-years-old, and he learned how to manage his condition playing football at school.
Diabetes should be no barrier to young people considering a career in sport, Scott insists. “As long as you manage your diabetes you can do whatever you want”, he said. “There have been a lot of athletes throughout the years that have been at the top of the game with diabetes. You need to live as much of a normal life as possible – don’t let people tell you otherwise.”
The event is part of ‘Healthy Hibs Messages’ – a series of health promotion events undertaken as part of the new GameChanger Public Social Partnership, the first Public Social Partnership launched by a football club in Scotland, and supported by Hibernian FC, Hibernian Community Foundation and NHS Lothian. This unique partnership has seen more than 70 different organisations signing up to work together with the joint aim of making Scotland’s population healthier.
Two local men are among the latest arrests made by Edinburgh Police during Operation RAC enforcement activity.
On Wednesday 22 April a flat in Royston Mains Crescent was broken into and a computer games consol, computer games, jewellery and handbags were stolen.
This was followed by a housebreaking in Wardieburn Road on Thursday 30 April, where various electrical items were stolen along with jewellery and a three-figure sum of cash.
Community Investigation Unit officers conducted enquiries into both incidents and executed a search warrant at a home in Wardieburn Terrace where various pieces of property from the break-ins were recovered.
Two men aged 25 and 21 were subsequently charged and are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Superintendent Phil O’Kane said: “In addition to the continued investigation of housebreakings across the city, which has resulted in more arrests, officers regularly conduct proactive patrols to detect and deter criminal activity.
“Housebreaking has been identified as a local policing priority and we are using a range of tactics to target the criminals committing these offences, who clearly show no respect for the property of others.
“Local communities can be reassured we are prioritising all of the specialist resources available to us to arrest the offenders and prevent further crimes occurring.
“The public can help us in our crime prevention efforts by always ensuring their homes, businesses and outbuildings are appropriately secured and to utilise additional security measures such as alarms and lighting were possible.
“Further advice on safeguarding your properties is available by speaking with your local policing team or by visiting our website at www.scotland.police.uk.”
‘The Queen’s Speech 2015 will be a clear programme for working people, social justice and bringing our country together’
Ahead of today’s Queen’s Speech Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Behind this Queen’s Speech is a clear vision for what our country can be. A country of security and opportunity for everyone, at every stage of life.
“That is our ambition. To build a country where whoever you are and wherever you live you can have the chance of a good education, a decent job, a home of your own and the peace of mind that comes from being able to raise a family and enjoy a secure retirement.
“A country that backs those who work hard and do the right thing.
“This is the Queen’s Speech for working people from a ‘one nation’ government that will bring our country together.
“We have a mandate from the British people, a clear manifesto and the instruction to deliver. And we will not waste a single moment in getting on with the task.”
More grass-roots organisations to receive funding to strengthen their communities: why not North Edinburgh?
Enterprising community groups who are delivering economic and regeneration benefits to their areas by refurbishing disused buildings, developing renewable energy projects and creating jobs opportunities are to receive a share of an additional £668,000 investment.
A boost to the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) will see an extra 26 projects drive forward community-led regeneration in their areas. This comes on top of the £3 million which was allocated to around 50 projects in April last year.
The additional funding will help build the capacity of local organisations and allow communities to deliver initiatives which respond to their aspirations. It is part of the extra £10 million announced in the Programme for Government, to give people and communities the powers to address inequalities.
Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi yesterday revealed the successful community groups – none of which are from Edinburgh – during a visit to Mac Arts in Galashiels which will receive support towards its long-term aim of converting a former council building into a multi-purpose arts facility.
He said: “I am delighted that 26 innovative projects across Scotland will be able to benefit from £668,000 of funding from the Strengthening Communities Programme. Very often, it is the people within their own communities who can best identify how their areas should be improved, which is why this increased investment and support for these local projects is so crucial.
“This funding will help communities breathe life into disused buildings, produce opportunities for renewables generation, establish community transport and tourism initiatives and create new jobs.
“People living in rural areas clearly have different priorities to communities in the central belt and the wide range of projects reflects Scotland’s diversity.
“This investment shows exactly what we want our Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill to achieve. The Bill, which reaches its final stage next month, will support and make it easier for groups to tackle inequalities in their areas, it will give communities more powers to take over assets and will strengthen their voices in the decisions that matter to them.”
Other new projects to benefit from SCP include the Crossroads Community Hub in Ayrshire which is working to redevelop an old school site into a food and education hub, Balornock East Residents Association in Glasgow’s new community centre plans and the Unst Partnership in Shetland’s community renewables and waste recycling schemes.
After lying empty for four years, the St Andrews Arts Centre in Galashiels was transformed into Mac Arts, which is run by the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust (DMMAT). The Trust took over the former Borders Council building in 2012 with the goal of transforming it into a cultural and recreational venue for the local area.
Dave Angus from Mac Arts said: “This award from the Strengthening Communities Programme will allow the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust to further develop Mac Arts into the Borders’ leading music and arts venue.
“As a charitable organisation that relies on volunteers, this is a fantastic boost that will help us ensure that Mac Arts is able to provide top quality entertainment and arts space for everyone in our local community.”
The Strengthening Communities Programme is a partnership approach between the Scottish Government, Scottish Community Development Centre, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS), Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS) and Carnegie UK Trust.
Maybe it’s time for a North Edinburgh Community Trust?
The latest list of additional Strengthening Communities Programme projects includes:
Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, West Lothian
Crossroads Community Hub, Ayrshire
Muir of Ord, Highland
Balornock East Residents Association, Glasgow
Dunblane Development Trust, Dunblane
Fraserburgh Development Trust, Fraserburgh
Peterhead Projects, Peterhead
Gorebridge Development Trust, Midlothian
The Carrick Centre, Maybole, Ayrshire
MsMissMrs, Balgrayhill, Glasgow
Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust, Galashiels
Ulva School Community Association, Mull
South West Mull and Iona Development, Mull
South Islay Development, Islay
Scourie Community Development Company (SCDC), Scourie
Melness, Tongue Community Development Trust, Caithness and Sutherland
Lochcarron Community Development Company, Lochcarron
Durness Development Group, Durness
The Glendale Trust, Skye
Applecross Community Company, Applecross
North Uist Development Company, North Uist
Staffin Community Trust, Skye
Raasay Development Trust, Raasay
Unst Partnership Ltd, Shetland
Kyle of Lochalsh Community Trust, Kyle of Lochalsh
One further project will be confirmed in due course
Talktime Edinburgh is a counselling service for 16-25 year olds with physical disabilities.
TalkTime offer weekly one hour sessions of counselling from their base on Leith’s Great Junction Street with a fully trained professional counsellor. They are happy to take referrals by phone or email. For further information please look at the website – link below.
Photo exhibition explores our relationship with treasured childhood items
An Edinburgh College photographer has been asking people to take a trip down memory lane and rummage in their old toy boxes to share their most treasured childhood items for a new exhibition.
Simon Moorhouse’s Nostalgia exhibition features photos of adults with their favourite childhood toys and memorabilia, exploring their attachment and the stories behind the strong bond they feel with these items.
Nostalgia is on at the Creative Exchange in Leith until 5 June.
Simon graduated with distinction from an HND Professional Photography course at Edinburgh College, and now works as a learning assistant in the college’s photography department.
He stumbled across the inspiration for the exhibition when he was looking through old belongings and found the first cuddly toy that his mum had knitted for him, Charlie the monkey.
Simon (above) said: “I thought to myself, I’ve gone through so many moves over the past few years, from Sheffield to Edinburgh, and it has always moved with me for some reason. I never really knew why.
“That intrigued me a little bit, because we live in this sort of throwaway society where we’re quite happy to buy new TVs, new printers and everything like that. Back when I was younger we used to send our TV to the repair man, or have one come round to the house to fix it. Now it is so easy to throw them away and get a brand new one, but we always seem to keep these little trinkets. I wanted to find out why.”
Simon says the most interesting item he has photographed so far was an old chemistry set from the 1960s (above). He said: “Some of the stuff you would get in a chemistry set then would be illegal in a chemistry set today. The owner, Stewart, has stuff missing from the set. But some of the stuff, like the chemical powders, were just very peculiar. Stewart went on to work in science, he had the kit from being about four years old, he loved science and went on to become a science technician and work with children at a science centre. Now he’s an actor, but he still holds on to the chemistry set!”
Now that the exhibition has taken shape, Simon wants to expand the project outside of Scotland. First, he wants to go back to Sheffield, his home town, then carry on further down the country to photograph his connections in London and Cambridgeshire.
Simon is also keen for anyone with a nostalgic childhood item to come forward and share their stories through the Edinburgh College Facebook page and Twitter, and is offering a free professional photo shoot at the college for one lucky winner. Post a photo of your own item and tell us in one sentence why it is important to you. Simon will choose his favourite entry.
Nostalgia will be on show at Creative Exchange, 29 Constitution Street, Leith, until 5 June. Creative Exchange is open Monday -Thursday 9am-5.30pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm. Admission is free.
‘we want to build a partnership for productivity with businesses, the third sector, the wider public sector and trade unions’ – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government will promote the interests of business at every opportunity as she launched the Scottish Business Pledge – Scotland’s new social and economic partnership for growth – at Tynecastle yesterday.
The First Minister highlighted Scotland’s distinctive approach to taking on the productivity challenge and, speaking ahead of today’s Queen’s Speech at Westminster, added that the Scottish Government would challenge the UK Government to deliver more for Scottish business through increased public investment, protecting Scotland’s membership of the EU and transferring to Scotland additional powers that can help to boost economic growth.
The First Minister was giving a keynote address to business delegates at Tynecastle Stadium, where Heart of Midlothian Football Club became the first business to sign up to the new Scottish Business Pledge. Other early signatories to the pledge include GSK, Virgin Money, Agenor, Hymans Robertson, Strata Cleaning and LogicNow.
Ms Sturgeon highlighted the pledge as part of Scotland’s distinctive efforts to take on the challenges of a modern economy, boost economic productivity and tackle inequality.
The First Minister said: “Last year, Scotland recorded its strongest economic growth since 2007. Employment growth has been strong and we’ve recently seen really encouraging figures for female and youth employment – although there is absolutely no room for complacency.
“However, notwithstanding progress made, we still face significant challenges, such as the need to improve productivity, increase exports, diversify our business base and tackle deep-seated inequalities.
“Our economic strategy sets out a vision of an economy based on innovation rather than insecurity; high skills, not low wages; and enhanced productivity instead of reduced job security. We want to climb the global competitiveness rankings on quality, rather than racing to the bottom on costs.
“Increased productivity makes our economy even more competitive, which in turn brings benefits to individuals and communities across the whole of the country.
“However it requires concerted action across all areas of our economy – and indeed across society – to achieve this. That’s why we want to build a partnership for productivity with businesses, the third sector, the wider public sector and trade unions.
“The Fair Work Convention, the Living Wage Accreditation Scheme, and the Scottish Business Pledge are essential features of what is becoming a distinctive Scottish approach to growth.
“That’s why today’s launch is so significant. I am pleased to see a number of significant Scottish businesses amongst the early sign ups to the Business Pledge and I hope many more companies will sign up in the month and years to come.”
For more information about the Scottish Business Pledge, go to
On the Queen’s Speech, the First Minister set out the Scottish Government’s business priorities:
“We will continue to oppose spending reductions of the scale and speed that the UK government has suggested. These would slow economic recovery and make deficit reduction more difficult – something shown by the impact of the cuts imposed after 2010. If the UK Government sticks to its current proposals, we will argue for ways in which the impact on Scotland can be lessened.
“On the issue of an in-out referendum on membership of the EU, we will work to protect Scotland’s interests. We will propose a “double-lock”, meaning that exit is only possible if all four nations of the UK agree to it – something which would prevent Scotland from being forced out of the EU against our will.
“And we will seek greater powers for Scotland. We want to ensure that the recommendations of the Smith Commission are met in full. We are also seeking additional responsibilities – beyond the ones which the Smith Commission identified. In particular, greater power over business taxes, employment and trade union law, the minimum wage and welfare would enable us to create jobs, grow the economy, and lift people out of poverty.
“These are not powers for their own sake – they are powers to enable us to work more effectively in partnership with business to boost growth, to increase investment, to support employment and to deliver better jobs.”
