The Chief Executive of award-winning youth charity Young Scot has received an honorary degree from Edinburgh Napier University. Louise Macdonald is ‘thrilled’ to receive the honour and pledged to continue to play her part in breaking down barriers to participation in education. Continue reading Young Scot chief receives honorary degree
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the winner of the ‘First Mentor’ competition yesterday – Charlotte Liddell of Buckhaven in Fife. Launched on International Women’s Day in March, the initiative will see the successful applicant mentored by the First Minister for a period of one year – and it is designed to highlight the importance of women in leadership roles mentoring young women. Continue reading Charlotte is First Mentee
The Scottish Government and Young Scot have joined forces to raise awareness of the support young adult carers may be entitled to. Continue reading Young adult carers encouraged to claim what’s theirs
Young Scot competition offers chance of a lifetime for young women
Aspiring young women aged between 18 and 23 will have the chance to be mentored by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The competition, run by Young Scot, will see the successful candidate receive mentoring from the First Minister over a one year period.
The First Minister yesterday called on women in leadership roles to follow her example and become mentors, helping to create a generation of future leaders and greater gender balance in their organisations.
Speaking at the diversity on private sector boards joint partnership event with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, the FM said:
“Equality for women is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s vision for an equal Scotland. My ambition for all our young people is that they will have a fair chance to succeed, and if they work hard and have the ability, there’s nothing to stop them realising their dreams. It is not acceptable in 2017 for women to be under-represented in senior positions, including in the boardroom.
“That is why our Programme for Government contains ambitious commitments in support of women’s equality, including legislating for gender balance on public sector boards, creating a new Advisory Council on Women and Girls and piloting a Returners Project.
“One of my first actions on becoming First Minister was to appoint a gender-balanced cabinet. Since then, through initiatives such as 50/50 by 2020 and the Scottish Business Pledge, more than 300 businesses in Scotland have committed to achieve gender equality on their boards – and for the first time ever more than half of public sector board appointees are women.
“As well as this, I’m determined to play my personal part by becoming a mentor and I would urge other women in leadership roles to do the same. Together, we can be female role models for the next generation and encourage and empower young women to discover their own leadership potential.”
Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot said: “Supporting young people in realising their career potential and meeting their ambitions is the responsibility of every leader in Scotland. Mentoring is a powerful way of helping young people achieve their goals and will help to create a new generation of positive role models to inspire other young women in the future.
“We’re delighted to support the First Minister and the Scottish Government with this new mentoring programme and we are encouraging as many young women from across Scotland as possible to apply for this amazing opportunity.”
Details of the initiative will be announced soon.
The review into the way schools are run is seeking direct input from those most affected by Scotland’s education system – children and young people themselves, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said during a visit to Broughton High School yesterday.
In September, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the start of a major governance review, with the presumption that decisions will be devolved to school level. Underlining the commitment to involve and listen to pupils, the Scottish Government is funding work to gather their perspectives.
Young Scot, in partnership with Children in Scotland and Scottish Youth Parliament, is taking forward the engagement programme, which will secure input from a diverse range of young people with different life experiences – including those from urban and rural settings, in the care system, and who have a disability.
Announcing £60,000 to support this work over the next three months, Mr Swinney met today with some of the 90 pupils taking part in the first engagement session at Broughton High School in Edinburgh. He said: “Our review is about ensuring schools deliver the best outcomes for children and young people, with teachers empowered to make decisions about learning within schools, supported by parents and the local community.
“I’ve committed to listening to teachers, practitioners and partners. It’s also crucial that we seek the views of children and young people – on what works well with their learning and in their schools and where improvements can be made.
“The feedback gathered by Young Scot, Children in Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament will make a valuable contribution to the review process, shaping our mission to deliver excellence and equity throughout our education system.”
Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “Any conversation about the future of schools, education and learning needs to have children and young people at the heart. They are experts of their own experience, and it is vital they are given the opportunity to share their insight and their views about what matters so much for them today and in the future.”
Children in Scotland Chief Executive Jackie Brock said: “We believe that children and young people have the right to influence policy and legislation that has an impact on their lives. Hearing from school pupils about how their experience of education could be improved is a key part of this and we are delighted to be partners in a project with such a strong emphasis on consultation and engagement with our young people.”
Amy Lee Farioli, Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Empowering children and young people to have their say in decisions that affect them is a fundamental right that all children and young people have. It is essential that they are involved in making decisions about their learning and the learning environment. We see activities like today’s event as vital for shaping the positive involvement of young people as equal, meaningful partners in decisions for the future.”
New Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament Terri Smith MSYP has joined the board of Young Scot. She’ll sit alongside 17 year old Abbie Wilson, who joined the board last year and has now become the youngest Vice Chair in Young Scot’s history! Continue reading Terri Smith joins Young Scot board
Young people are discussing youth employment issues with senior Scottish Government Ministers today. Around 120 young people from a broad range of backgrounds are attending Scotland’s Youth Summit at the Hub on the Royal Mile.
The event – organised by Young Scot, the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Scottish Government – gives young people the chance to speak directly to Ministers, including Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance, about ways in which 16-24 year olds can be supported into work.
Education Secretary Michael Russell, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages Alasdair Allan, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell and Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison will also attend.
Ms Constance said: “Hearing the experiences of young people directly is vital to our work to support them and their peers into work. I have met many young people in training or education in the last year, as well as a number seeking an opportunity, but the Youth Summit will given dozens of 16-24 years the chance to tell Ministers about their experiences face to face.
“This government is doing more than any other to improve the employability of our young people. We are already committed to 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in every year of this parliament and have guaranteed every 16-19 year old a place in education or training. The Employer Recruitment Incentive announced in the draft budget will also help small and medium-sized businesses to recruit unemployed young Scots. Today’s meeting will give key partners, including Ministers, a good sense of progress and ideas on how we can help further.”
Grant Costello MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Young people have suffered enormously as a result of the economic downturn. It is crucial that action is taken to prevent a lost generation of young people who are unable to find work. I’m therefore delighted senior Government figures are coming to the Youth Employment Summit to hear from young people on their experiences and on the solutions which can make a difference to the thousands of young people who need a leg-up to get back on the ladder of work.”
Craig Shaw, Young Scot Digital Creative Modern Apprentice added: “When I left school, it look me a long time to find a job that I wanted to make into a career and I know the uncertainly of employment can be a daunting time for any young person. That’s why events such as the Youth Employment Summit are really important because it gives young people the chance to share their views with the Scottish Government and together with them, help design future employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.”
Well, The Matter is a new way for young people to tell their councils and governments what they think about issues that concern them and a group of local teenagers unveiled the first edition of a new publication and presented their findings at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre last night.
Commissioned by the Total Craigroyston initiative, six young people from North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum spent six manic weeks researching, consulting, interviewing, writing and producing their very own newspaper – The Matter – to articulate younger people’s views on how their voices can be heard in the Forth community planning process.
And what were their findings? Well, you’ll have to wait for those – the young people have clearly developed a taste for journalism so they are going to write an article about The Matter themselves for the NEN. Watch this space!
The Matter is supported by design agency Snook in partnership with Young Scot and Firstport, who support new and emerging social entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Young Scot Youth Legacy Ambassador Bina Radhi is hosting an Olympic-themed day at Craigroyston Primary School next month.
Bina, who is 18, explained “On 11 May, myself and Jodi, another YLA from Edinburgh, will be hosting an Olympic themed sports day at Craigroyston Primary School for the primary sevens who are in transition to moving to high school. Since it’s the year of the Olympics, we have decided to host an Olympic themed day, by allocating each class with an Olympic country for the chance to compete against one another. There will be a mixture of different stations, from trying out sports such as football, javelin throw, as well as educational activities, where pupils will have to test their knowledge and learn some fast facts about each country!”
She went on: “As it is a transaction event, we have been working closely with the Active Schools Coordinator to invite other cluster primary schools in the area to come along, so that they can meet other young people that they will be going to high school with. Since then, we have had confirmation for a couple of schools to say they are coming. We also have all equipment, photographer, music, some media, sponsorship money (hopefully), all organised for the day! The event is on the 11th of May and will run from 9.30- 11.30am. We hope to see around 120 pupils come along and have already recruited around 30 volunteers.”
Sounds like a lot of fun!
