Tag: Edinburgh’s Telford College

Goodbye, Telford – hello, Edinburgh!

 

Telford no more, but new College is a class apart!

The vision to create a bigger, better and stronger college that will serve Edinburgh and the Lothians long into the future became a reality today with the launch of Edinburgh College. The new College is set on a clear path to provide improved opportunities and outcomes to everyone who walks through its door – and in turn help to kick-start the regional and national economy by delivering skilled people to those industry sectors where Scotland enjoys a competitive advantage.

New Principal Mandy Exley said the potential of Edinburgh College, both for students and for Edinburgh and Lothians, is limitless. She said: “This is a significant landmark in the history of education provision in Edinburgh and the Lothians. By being bigger and better, we can combine strengths and resources to give our students high quality skills that will allow them seize life-changing opportunities. Equally we will work hand in hand with businesses to ensure we are not just providing a curriculum of varied courses – but are actually focused on training future staff to work in those key industry sectors where there is high demand or in those sectors which have been identified as growth areas for Scotland. We want to be an economic powerhouse for the Edinburgh and Lothian region – helping to drive growth and prosperity to benefit both the local and national economy.”

The creation of Edinburgh College also marks the end of an era for three of Edinburgh’s most recognisable educational institutions – the College being a product of the merger of Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College.

Edinburgh College, which as a £60m business makes it the biggest FE college in Scotland, will accommodate more than 35,000 students – the biggest student body in Edinburgh. The College will employ around 1300 staff operate from four main campuses; Granton, Sighthill, Milton Road and Midlothian.

Mandy added: “In many respects today’s launch is just a start of a journey. We know there is a lot of hard work ahead to deliver our vision for the college. However, the depth and breadth of our staff talent and resources is enormous. By working together and ensuring staff and students play a key role in the decision-making, we can make Edinburgh College a real success story; a college that is inclusive, innovative and excellent. We know that this is a sad day for some as three institutions from Edinburgh’s educational landscape disappear. However, as Edinburgh College starts to deliver on its aims, I am confident it will become a name that will have real resonance across Scotland, the UK and internationally.”

The college in particular will look to focus on developing and promoting ‘centres of excellence’ in key learning fields; including engineering and construction (particularly renewables), hospitality and tourism services, creative industries, service industries, care professions and performing arts.

Ian McKay, Chair (Elect) of Edinburgh College, said the new Board will be looking to set the management team some tough targets both in the first year, and more crucially, in 2013-14, which will see the new college’s first full curriculum being rolled out.

He said: “Edinburgh College will be challenged to support economic growth by delivering the right people for real jobs through a high quality and evolving curriculum. It has an enormous role to play in offering hope and opportunity to our young people and providing the skills needed to benefit the regional and national economy. To achieve that, we will be looking to agree a series of objectives matched against positive outcomes that the college team can be measured against to ultimately demonstrate that Edinburgh College can deliver on its promises.”

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: “As one of Scotland’s largest colleges, Edinburgh College will have a key role to play across the country and particularly in Edinburgh and the Lothians. I believe it will offer new and greater opportunities for students and help make sure they have the skills and knowledge they need for jobs in the area. I know a lot of work has been required to deliver the new college and I am confident the college, staff and students will reap the rewards of this.”

Named after one of Scotland’s finest civil engineers, Telford College opened on Crewe Road South in 1968. The former Ainslie Park Secondary School was added as an annexe as the College population grew and space became an issue, and the College moved to it’s present – and final – custom-built home on Granton’s waterfront in September 2006.

Final graduations from Telford College tonight

The last students to graduate from three of Edinburgh’s biggest colleges will do so in a series of ceremonies this week, marking the end of an era and heralding the arrival of a new Edinburgh College. More than 900 students from Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College will attend separate ceremonies at Usher Hall to celebrate their academic achievements.

The graduations come ahead of the merger of the three colleges which takes place next month, when the new Edinburgh College will become the largest student body in Edinburgh, accommodating more than 35,000 students.

Brian Lister, Interim Principal of Edinburgh College, said: “Graduation is always a special time, as it gives us a chance to celebrate the various achievements of all our students, but this year they have greater significance, as these students will be the last ever to graduate from each college. As this chapter ends for the students of the three colleges, the ceremonies are also a chance for us to look back on the successes of each college as a whole and what they have done individually for the further education sector in Edinburgh.

“The creation of the new Edinburgh College will allow us to build upon the foundations of excellence already set by Edinburgh’s Telford, Jewel & Esk and Stevenson College Edinburgh and create an unrivalled further education experience for students in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The College itself will become a ‘centre of excellence’, building on the existing strengths of the three colleges to foster growth, opportunity and economic development. All of the 2011/12 graduands have worked exceptionally hard to pass their courses and the ceremonies are a mark of their excellence – I wish each and every one of them the best of the luck in their chosen career or education path.”

The new Edinburgh College will be the biggest student body in Edinburgh/Scotland, employing around 1,300 staff to deliver the very best education and training to students. Four campuses spread across Edinburgh and the Lothians will make up the new College: Granton (formerly Edinburgh’s TelfordCollege), Sighthill (formerly Stevenson College) and Milton Road and Midlothian (both formerly Jewel and Esk College).

Stevenson College Edinburgh’s ceremony took place on Monday (24 September) and will be followed by Edinburgh’s Telford College tonight (27 September) at 7pm with Jewel & Esk’s ceremony taking place on Friday at 4pm.

Community Council will challenge Marine Drive development

Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council will object to plans to develop the former Civil Service Playing Fields at Marine Drive. The playing fields, now managed by Edinburgh’s Telford College, have been earmarked for a World of Football sport and leisure complex but the local community council will not be supporting the initiative.

A local resident has written to the community council expressing concerns over the development. He says: ‘Some years ago there were plans to build the new Craigroyston High School on the Green Belt; the community successfully resisted and rejected the proposal. This new proposal, which is no doubt controversial but no more so than building a school, has as far as is known been agreed in a deal between World of Football and Telford College. The chipping away of open spaces, particularly the Green Belt, has to be vigorously opposed. Communities have had the benefit of the Green Belt through the foresight of past generations; we in turn must leave it for future generations. Will the community council take up this urgent issue?’

Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council chairman Roy Douglas (pictured above) confirmed that the community council will indeed take up the issue. He said: “The first we heard about these plans was when the story appeared in the NEN. why should
the college or anyone else come along and use up greenspace without consulting the community? As a Community Council we will be objecting to any planning for this type of change.”

New Edinburgh College announces first Principal

Edinburgh College Principal MANDY EXLEY

The new Edinburgh College has announced the name of its first Principal. MANDY EXLEY, who is currently Principal and Chief Executive at Jewel & Esk College, will take over the position when Edinburgh College launches on October 1. Her appointment provides the final key link in the process that will see Edinburgh’s Telford, Stevenson and Jewel and Esk Collges combine to allow the creation of a bigger, stronger and better college serving Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Ian McKay, Chair (Elect) of Edinburgh College, said: “We are delighted to have someone of the calibre and pedigree of Mandy Exley lead Edinburgh College at the start of this exciting journey. We have given a commitment that Edinburgh College will change the face of further education in Edinburgh and Lothians and with Mandy’s previous experience at the helm of Jewel & Esk College, and the vision she has for the new College, we are ideally placed to fulfil our ambition.”

The rigorous selection process to find a Principal for what will be one of the biggest and most influential colleges in Scotland has been conducted over a number of months. In a new development, the process also included the involvement of the leadership of the student body in the college – the President and three vice Presidents of the Edinburgh College Students’ Association. This was seen as an important part of working with and for students in the new College.

John Martin, President of Edinburgh College Students’ Association, said: “The Students’ Association were pleased to be invited to be a part of the interview process, and particularly the value that has been placed on our opinion. Students should be at the centre of every decision making process as colleges across Scotland go through unprecedented changes and tribulations in the coming years and I hope that this sets a precedent for all future appointments of major office holders within Colleges, including membership of Boards of Governors. I congratulate Mandy on her success and look forward to working positively with her over the coming year to make sure our students get the best possible experience out of their life-changing time at Edinburgh College.”

Ian McKay added: “We believe it’s the first time that the student body have played a part in a Principal’s appointment. That illustrates the depth of the recognition of, and commitment to, the students, who we have always said are the most important people in the new College.”

Mandy has a long history of leadership in education in Scotland having served for the last two years as Principal at Jewel & Esk College and previously as Principal at the University of the Highlands & Islands Perth College. She said that she is looking forward to Edinburgh College playing its part in securing improved prosperity for everyone who lives and works in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

She said: “The creation of Edinburgh College is about a journey from good to great.  The three existing colleges are really good in their own right but together, they can deliver great results. The College aims to deliver the very best education and training to students. By achieving that, we have an opportunity to build an economic powerhouse – to play a vital role in getting individuals back to work and to deliver skilled people needed in those economic sectors where Scotland can enjoy a genuine competitive advantage.”

Mandy added that with each college having an impressive reputation for forward thinking and innovation, it would allow ‘centres of excellence’ in key learning fields to be developed in the new College.

“The College itself will become a ‘centre of excellence’, building on the existing strengths of the three colleges to foster growth, opportunity and economic development. We are confident Edinburgh College will compete with the best in Britain and that it will be a College we can all be proud of,” she said.

Mandy has worked in education for more 20 years and her career has been both in England and Scotland, working in large inner city colleges in Birmingham, Manchester and Stoke and rural colleges in Gloucestershire, Perth and the Highlands and Islands. Her work has been recognised beyond the college and she has served on a number of Government and Scotland’s Colleges’ Task Groups including the current Government Change Team.  She is a Board Director of the Scottish Institute for Enterprise and has a particular interest in Public Value and leads on promoting this work for Scotland’s Colleges.

The new Edinburgh College will operate from four main campuses employing more than 1,500 staff; Granton (formerly Edinburgh’s Telford College), Sighthill (formerly Stevenson College Edinburgh) and Milton Road and Midlothian (both formerly Jewel & Esk College).

The College, a £60m business and the biggest FE college in Scotland, will accommodate more than 35,000 students – the biggest student body in Edinburgh – when it opens next month.

 

New Edinburgh College seeks talent for Board

Influential and inspirational individuals are being invited to help the new Edinburgh College play a key role in defining the future of further education in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Edinburgh College, the product of a merger of Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh, is looking to attract the best talent possible to join its Board of Management.

The College,a £60m business and the biggest FE college in Scotland, will accommodate more than 35,000 students – the biggest student body in Edinburgh – when it opens on October 1.

Ian McKay, Chair (Elect) of Edinburgh College, said Board members will contribute to the leadership and control of the new College, driving forward improved learning opportunities that will benefit Edinburgh and Lothians specifically, and Scotland, in general.

He said: “The new Edinburgh College is set on a course to change the face of further education in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We want to deliver better opportunities and outcomes for learners, which will support economic growth both locally and nationally by providing industry with the right people for real jobs. We know Edinburgh and the Lothians boasts some of Scotland’s most skilled and talented people – captains of industry, innovators, community champions and such like. How great it would be, therefore, to have some of this incredible talent pool join us as we start this exciting journey with Edinburgh College.”

The new College welcomes applicants from all walks of life and is particularly keen to hear from candidates with skills and expertise in: community and educational leadership, industry and commerce, finance, marketing, international education and IT.

Edinburgh College will consist of four main campuses employing more than 1,500 staff; Granton (formerly Edinburgh’s Telford College), Sighthill (formerly Stevenson College Edinburgh) and Milton Road and Midlothian (both formerly Jewel & Esk College).

The selection  process for Board members is being launched this week with a view to  appointments being made within the next 6-8 weeks.

Requests for further information and applications should be made to amanda.hood@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

North Edinburgh Arts to host employability event

North Edinburgh Arts Centre is to host a major Employability event later this month. Organised by Forth Neighbourhood Partnership, ‘Employability in Forth’ follows on from a successful event held at Edinburgh’s Telford College which looked at local employability issues and initiatives.
Employability in Forth
Tuesday 18 September  2012
10.30am – 12.30 followed by buffet  lunch
North Edinburgh Arts  Centre
15a Pennywell  Court
Following  the Employment Networking Event held  at Edinburgh’s Telford College earlier this year  we would like to invite you to a follow up session.
A final programme for  the date will be sent out soon but will include:
  • An update on progress on Edinburgh’s Employability Service from the Council’s Employability and Skills team.
  • A presentation from Stevenson College and Community Renewal on how the new Integrated Employment Service (Hub) will impact on Forth.
  • Reflection on the discussion at the networking event and further discussion on the best way of addressing employability issues in Forth.
    A summary of  the findings from the Telford College event:

    Summary of discussion at networking event

     Youth Employment 16-19 – How can we help improve the number of young people going into employment and other positive destinations? 

    City wide and National issues

    • Need to increase training capacity across the city
    • Need to look at incentives to take on a young person (converting benefits into wage subsidy?). SDS Employer Recruitment Incentive relevant here.
    • More Modern Apprenticeships.
    • Fund projects that get people directly into jobs.
    • 21st century homes programme should include employability initiatives and apprenticeships, build into the master planning process at an early stage

    Schools and youth agencies

    • Need more vocational courses built into schools and make them on par with academic routes.
    • Increase Careers advice in schools – time spent per pupil
    • Make sure school leavers are aware of choices.
    • Increase opportunities for part time work at schools.
    • Improve links between schools and outside agencies.
    • Need to engage with 12/13 year olds before they become disaffected.
    • Bring local people into schools, including slightly older young people in the job market to “tell it like it is”.
    • High drop out rate of young people from the educational system in the area – need a partnership approach to this
    • Stronger links with local youth agencies
    • Early intervention – teach employability skills in Youth Centres. 

    Mentoring/Attitudes/ Presentation Skills

    • Need to look at building the work ethic and correct attitude to work
    • There are jobs are available – young people need relevant skills and attitude.
    • Most vulnerable have challenges in interview presentation, personal confidence/appearance. Can we make preparing for a work interview a more viable option – Interviewing makeover programme designed and delivered by partners & College.
    • Recognise the value of activity that is not directly job related.
    • Confidence building is the key skill needed to address this issue – e.g. Duke of Edinburgh awards
    • Mentoring and 1 to 1 work makes the difference with young people likely to fail. Can we get higher profile on this? Is there a link with Forth Voluntary Sector forum that could be scaled up – possibly part of TOTAL PLACE project?

    Business Links

    • Involve small businesses.
    • Need strong and sustained links to the business community.
    • Opportunities for local jobs – where are the employers? They need to be part of any action plan, and contribute to better outcomes. Care Sector will have openings locally but perhaps more suited to 20+.
    • Refocus work of SBC – excellent example of recent school projects

    Training/Support

    • Consider putting in place here an innovative supported one stop, integrated accommodation/training /support model for young people Ref Aberdeen Foyer model.
    • Improve links with Telford College Construction faculty
    • More pre-vocational courses needed
    • Use innovative ways of engaging. Community Renewal use informal “ pizza night” approach to inform young people of opportunities

    Strategy/Processes

    • Need a clear strategy for what we want to achieve. Identify who are the key local partners who can actively contribute as part of solution, and stakeholders – these are both important but different things.
    • Need specific statson the scale of this problem in North Edinburgh? E.g. we know that Craigroyston has lowest qualifications, but are we clear which aspects/priority group we need to target – the farthest away from employment, or those who need better direction and are closest to it?
    • Review how we measure and monitor outcomes for longer term benefits
    • Simplify the process and make it clearer to understand for young people and their families

    Employment of those in 20 plus age group: What can we do to help this group into employment?

    City wide and National issues

    • Get more support from large public employers – Council/NHS.
    • Job Centre Plus should be integral member of this partnership – they have new programmes many of us were unaware of and we can join up on how we promote: e.g. work experience programme.
    • More potential for employers to pay a wage for work placements
    • Simplify the process of taking short term and part time work (benefit issues). Allow people to continue on benefits whilst they take part in work experience. If a full time student there are rents/ benefits issues

    Business Links

    • Can SMEs help?
    • How can employers tap into these young people who have successfully come through training and/or work experience

    Training/Support 

    • Improve training in IT Skills.
    • Need to increase the opportunities available – limited support for over 25s. Focussing on 16-19yr could be at expense of this group.
    • Use more Work based training – e.g. CLD Youth Work degree.
    • Provide funded access to learn driving as this opens up job opportunities and builds self-esteem , motivates (Birmingham project over 2 years provided mopeds+ driving test support, then passed mopeds on to next recruits) ; SQA have a qualification that provides evidence for theory test.
    • College is not for many of this group.
    • Difficult to get a second chance for training.
    • Most vulnerable of this age group need a programme similar to younger age group to move on from past errors. Many are parents so could be reached via the schools.

    Mentoring/Attitudes/ Presentation Skills

    • Need to look at role models for people (third generation unemployment, who do they look to?)
    • Home circumstances sometimes do not support a work ethic so how do we support them better
    • How do we apply the carrot and stick?
    • Ask people want they want or need.
    • Hopelessness is a key issue for this age group, but many have a family to support so can motivate, be a key driver, links to schools.
    • Get appropriate local people of this experience and age group to be part of the solution – get a voice.
    • Buddy programme for people from this age to mentor younger ones – need positive role models.
    • A key focus is how to help this age group keep jobs once they have them. 
    • Improve Money management skills – Financial literacy is now a huge issue for 3rd generation of unemployed in families
    • Literacy issues
    • Health issues – mental health issues still area of concern in area

    Other key focus areas – What other key issues could be addressed by partnership working?

    City wide and National issues

    • Different agencies having different geographies – eg Job Centres, Scottish Government.
    • Benefits Changes likely to be detrimental.
    • Community Jobs Scotland – can we do it here? Like S Lanarkshire Youth Jobs fund model, funding paid for local officer, working with a number of organisations to coordinate and direct.
    • Look at potential to include providing local employment opportunities as a part of planning process
    • Crime and anti social behaviour impacts on young people even when they are not directly involved – often as victims.

    Coordination

    • Is there duplication of services locally? So many organisations and short term initiatives makes it had to know what is going on. This gets in the way of joint working
    • Need to simplify structures, increase transparency, work more jointly on service (consortia) and think about longer term initiatives
    • Need to get better at sharing good practice and being open about ideas and services.
    • Strategic overview – planning what is needed in an area.
    • With so many services it is difficult to know who to refer to?
    • Encourage and reward Partnership working

    Funding

    • Danger that simplistic outcome-based funding can work against partnership approach
    • Promote /Develop a “common good fund” – based on £xx contribution from key partners to use for targeted interventions.
    • Important to note the impact of central cuts to funding of local employability projects
    • Short term funding leads to interruptions of planning process

    Information

    • Making sure that all partners have knowledge.
    • Need good labour market information – especially locally.
    • Join up guidance, information and advice locally – forum?
    • Use social media to engage with young people

    The way forward – What is the best way to address these issues locally?

    Structures/Processes 

    • A Forth Action Group supported but think membership should be reviewed- include service providers e.g. Chamber of Commerce, Community Renewal
    • A Forth Employment Action Group be useful but should focus on business and life skills
    • An Action Group could be useful for networking and co-ordination of services
    • Needs to have a clear purpose and have teeth and continuity and commitment.
    • Any Action Group needs a strong effective chair and secretarial support.
    • Meet say twice a year to review outcomes and progress, impact, gaps /next priorities, once groundwork established.
    • Involving local people in processes is important.
    • Short life working groups may be useful.
    • May be best to have a series of themed workshops/forums on issue we want to tackle – and also have 2/3 plenary meetings a year.
    • Cross agency meetings about particularly difficult young people/groups of young people – GIRFEC approach – could be useful.
    • Look at Gate 55 as an ideal model (?).

    Priorities/Issues

    • The initial focus could be on 16-19 year old group.
    • Need to look at how resources can be shared
    • Need to capture local knowledge and advocate for services needed by the community (evidenced approach)
    • Need to build relationships between organisations – joint training sessions around key issues.
    • Get Job Share involved in future activity. 
    • Get clients to come along and describe their experiences and identify flaws/opportunities.
    • Get Challenge Fund MCMC group involved in future activity.
    • Need a review of funding – a more strategic approach to make best use of funding
    • Look at an Action Plan

    Next Steps 

    • Hold a meeting to feedback on the issues raised at Networking event – to plan what action, who should be involved. Look to involve young people (Youth Forum/Parliament?) and employers.

Welcome to Muirhouse

A young Spanish Telford College student spent eight months taking photographs in Muirhouse while working on a documentary portfolio for his HND in photography. The result was some superb images, excellent exam results – and friendships that could last a lifetime.

Borja Prada Garcia first became interested in Muirhouse when he passed through on the bus on the way to college. “It was an interesting place, photogenic,” he said. “At first sight it seemed like it had been painted on a grey canvas, but later as I visited day after day I found a broader palette of colours behind it’s doors. Muirhouse is actually a colourful place, because of it’s people”.

Borja may have seemed like an unusual figure, a stranger always armed with a camera but as the days and weeks passed he got to know local residents. “Some people were wary and suspicious when I approached them, one or two were threatening, but most people were friendly and helpful. They were inquisitive and interested when I explained what I was trying to do,” he said. “I found that there are lots of misconceptions about Muirhouse; it may seem like a cold place but the people were warm – their smiles can light misty days.”

One family in particular welcomed Borja into their home. “The Sargents were so good to me”, he said. “They were like a family for me here in Muirhouse – they let me share their lives and I visited them every week.”

Over days, weeks and months Borja built up his portfolio, photographing buildings, people and situations on film and then developing prints. It was a long, laborious and expensive process – Borja reckons he shot between forty and fifty rolls of film – but the effort proved worth it: Borja gained 98% for his Graded Unit 2!

Borja self-published ‘Welcome to Muirhouse’, a 60-page book of Muirhouse prints, and now hopes to exhibit his work both at local venues and at galleries further afield. North Edinburgh Arts Centre will perhaps be the first of many when it stages an exhibition of Borja’s work in October.

Borja’s tutor Susan Richards said: “Each year we have three or four projects worth taking further, but every so often a student submits work that is extra special and Borja’s portfolio falls into that category. It is a really impressive body of work and I know how long and how hard Borja worked to achieve it. That dedication and the images he’s produced certainly deserve a wider audience and I’m delighted that more people will be now be able to appreciate it”.

Borja makes a living by working in a restaurant, but the young Spaniard won’t be saying ‘adios’ to Muirhouse any time soon. “The project is ongoing and I intend to shoot in Muirhouse for several years. I thank all the people of Muirhouse who helped me during the project, especially Jim, Jennifer and the Sargents. It is still a very close relationship – they are my friends and we will stay in touch with each other.”

 If a picture paints a thousand words: some of Borja’s images of Muirhouse …

Adult Education enrolment now open

CRAIGROYSTON a wide range of courses available

With the kids back to school today, what better time to think about going back to school yourself? The city council’s adult education programme offers a wide variety of courses geared to suit your circumstances – and, with venues that include Craigroyston High School and Edinburgh’s Telford College, often right on your own doorstep!

No less than 48 venues are offering courses over the next academic term, and the ever popular programme has some exotic new additions this year – how about some Bollywood dancing or Mexican Cooking to spice up your life?

With day, evening and weekend courses on offer across the city, there is a variety of subjects to choose from, including art, computing, languages, fitness, genealogy, crafts, yoga, belly dancing, wine appreciation, gardening or stress management.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Convener for Education, Children and Families said: “The amount of classes and subject matter on offer this year is absolutely fantastic, there truly is something to suit all tastes.  Some will see these classes as an opportunity to try something new or take on a hobby but they can also be a stepping stone on to further education or indeed into a new career.

“I would advise anyone who has some time to spare over the coming autumn and winter to look into what’s on offer and to secure your place sooner rather than later.”

Rajni Ravikunar, who is teaching a Bollywood Dancing class this year, says she is looking forward to classes starting   and is encouraging the public to have a go: “The classes are great fun and will give participants a chance to get fit too.  We’ll be bringing a taste of Bollywood glamour to Edinburgh, I’m really excited.”

There are a number of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) at Higher and Unit levels being run by Stevenson College Edinburgh and Edinburgh’s Telford College. These can be taken as formal qualifications for work, college or university or simply for personal development or interest.

Courses start on 24 September except Highers which begin on 03 September. Enrolment is now open.

TELFORD offers Highers and SQA Units

 

The Edinburgh Guarantee

Ann Confrey with the third in a series of articles on Employment and Training opportunities in North Edinburgh:

The Edinburgh Guarantee

A joint initiative to improve employment opportunities and break the cycle of youth unemployment 

At almost double the adult level, youth unemployment is a growing problem in Edinburgh. Addressing this problem is one of the highest priorities for Edinburgh and the city is meeting the challenge head on with a new political coalition that is working in partnership with business.

The challenge of finding employment is significant enough for those with degrees and good exam results but for anyone without those qualifications that challenge can appear insurmountable.

The numbers tell a bleak story:

  • In the year ending September 2011, 6,000 residents of Edinburgh aged 16 to 24 were unemployed – 36% of the total number of people unemployed in the city
  • In May 2012, there were 2,845 Jobseekers Allowance claimants aged under 24 in Edinburgh – 24% of all claimants
  • Of the 3,423 pupils, who left publicly- funded schools in 2011, 423 – almost 12% – were unemployed nine months later.

So what is the City of Edinburgh Council doing to address this problem and secure a future for our young people?

When Chief Executive Sue Bruce (above) took over as Chief Executive in 2011, one statistic struck her more than any other. She said: “Of the thirty two local authorities in Scotland, Edinburgh was sitting at 32nd for providing positive destinations for its school leavers from publicly funded schools.”

“Scotland’s Capital city was at the bottom of the list when it came to getting its young people into a job, a training course or higher education. That trend had to be tackled, it had to be arrested and reversed.

“It was clear that the problem would not be solved either quickly or by the council working alone. To create an environment where school leavers would have opportunity to realise and fulfil their potential, every sector of the city would need to come together with one purpose, to galvanise business and change the landscape for the better forever.”

The result was the Edinburgh Guarantee, created to drive a cultural change that recognizes the creativity and energy that young people can bring to business, dispel the negative perceptions and unite the public, private and third sectors to achieve a common goal – A positive destination for every school leaver.

On 8 December last year a call went out to city businesses and organisations across all sectors to provide jobs, paid work experience, training or continued education for every school leaver in Edinburgh.

The call was made at a breakfast debate which brought together 120 individuals from Edinburgh businesses and organisations to discuss the ongoing issue of youth unemployment in Edinburgh and to encourage participation in the development and delivery of the Edinburgh Guarantee.

Under the Guarantee, Edinburgh City Council has committed to ensuring that “…all teenagers will have the chance to leave school with a job, work placement or apprenticeship secured in order to drive down youth unemployment to zero”.

What is the Council doing?

As a lead partner in the Edinburgh Guarantee, and as the city’s largest single employer, the Council has fully committed to taking positive action to increase the number of opportunities that it offers to young people and to provide additional targeted support to maximise their take up.

In 2011/12 it created:

  • 50 new apprenticeships in the Council using existing Modern Apprentice Framework
  • 80 new training places in the Council offering support and work experience for young people assessed as not job ready
  • 50 opportunities with Council contractors through the use of community benefit clauses

How are businesses encouraged to participate?

The Council will provide support to other employers who join the Edinburgh Guarantee through the services of a dedicated Economic Development Business Liaison Officer. (pam.peters@edinburgh.gov.uk)

The types of support available include:

  • Marketing of opportunities
  • Briefing of young people’s support agencies
  • Pre-screening of applicants
  • Practical support for young person’s transition into work eg bus passes, food vouchers etc
  • In work support for vulnerable young people
  • Training for staff to be coaches/mentors for young people
  • Sign posting to potential funding sources
  • Sharing success and best practice

Facts’n’ Figures update:

Since it’s inception in 2011

  • more than 100 businesses and organisations have joined the Edinburgh Guarantee
  • over 400 additional opportunities have been generated
  • 50 new apprentice posts have been created within City of Edinburgh Council

What does that mean for young people in North Edinburgh? Will this initiative benefit them or pass them by?

From the progress being made it certainly looks like North Edinburgh is benefitting greatly from the initiative and employers are delighted at the choice of talent in the area.

The success of local initiatives has been noticed further afield – so much so that earlier this year Craigroyston Community High School had a very high profile visitor when HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay joined a number of business leaders on a ‘Seeing is believing’ visit.

As part of the visit, two local business leaders talked about their experiences of taking part in a paired reading programme every Thursday to support the school’s literacy programme.

The Duke heard all about the Employability Course – a course that offers pupils in S4 the chance to develop their skills, make the most of work experience opportunities and business mentoring.

Muirhouse Youth Development Group demonstrated how, having become a Social Enterprise, they ran a Bike Project in the school.

Scottish Champions of the ‘Formula 1 in Schools’ programme demonstrated their winning car and explained how business support had been crucial to their success.

Prince Charles visited each of these projects, and commended the links that the school and business leaders had established. He encouraged business leaders to increase their engagement with schools, and encouraged everyone to continue working towards positive destinations for all leavers.

Edinburgh’s Telford College – Junior College

“There are a huge number of young people who could excel in certain areas of employment if they were made aware of them and given access and opportunity to pursue them.“ says Principle Miles Dibsdall OBE (pictured above). Here at our Junior College students are presented with a range of courses to help them chose a route to further education or employment. The College works together with Children and Families and Economic Development teams at the Council to ensure that course planning is linked to both senior phased in secondary school and employment opportunities being created in the city.

“By understanding the areas of work in need of employees and reflecting this need in the qualifications we provide we have a good chance of making this (the Guarantee) a reality.” added Miles.

Other contributing local initiatives include Barnardo’s Works Edinburgh based close to Granton Square. The established team is about to embark on a fourth successive year delivering employment programmes across the city.

Participants of the programme go through a tailored induction to develop their employability skills before moving on to a placement with an employer whilst still able to claim benefits. Placements give the young people opportunity to demonstrate what they can bring to a business while the employer benefits from dedicated support throughout the placement period.

Employers can be part of this success – contact helen.brown@barnardos.org.uk

Facts’n’Figures: So far 40% of young people going through the Barnardo’s programme are now in independent employment across a range of sectors.

Ann Confrey

 

Colleges come together to showcase Best of the Fest

 Over 4,000 people attended a series of events, designed to showcase student talent and success, as part of Edinburgh’s biggest student led festival. The Edinburgh Colleges Festival brought together the collective student talent present at Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh ahead of the proposed merger set to take place later this year.

Proving they can work together to offer the very best in student focused further education across a variety of sectors, the event featured the work and performances of over 1,000 students from all three colleges.

Showcasing sporting, arts and design, music, performing arts and hospitality achievements as well as many others, the festival programme featured an impressive 43 events over six weeks.

Brian Lister, Interim Principal for Edinburgh College, said: “This year’s festival has been a huge success, not only in terms of its size and scale, but the fact that it demonstrates the potential of the Edinburgh College, for offering one of the biggest and best further education facilities. The merger of the three colleges has the interest of the students at its heart and so it made sense that we brought together the collective talent of the combined student body for the Festival.”

He continued: “I attended several of the events myself and it was a great pleasure to see the hard work and talent of all the students involved. There are definitely a few future stars out there and we wish every single student the very best of luck in their future careers. We look forward to building upon the success of this year’s vent in years to come and not only make next year’s event even bigger and better, but ensure that the positive and collective hard work of all three colleges is taken forward under the Edinburgh College brand.”

Feedback about the festival from an online survey was extremely positive and revealed that 100% of people would like to see an Edinburgh Colleges Festival in 2013 – 34% of these being members of the local communities surrounding the colleges.

Highlights of the festival included a Celebration of Achievement event at Jewel & Esk College, which recognised and celebrated the talent of its FE students, as well as the ‘Exposed’ photography exhibition, featuring work from Stevenson’s final year photography students which was attended by over 300 people.

A final highlight was the Gala Launch dinner hosted by hospitality and catering students at Edinburgh’s Telford College, with music and performances by students from across the three colleges. The event was also attended by Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

The new Edinburgh College will be formed later this year when Telford, Jewel & Esk and Stevenson Colleges merge. The merger will bring together around 35,000 students across four main campuses.