About Activate
About Activate
Activate is an award-winning Employability Programme which gained the Institute of Careers Guidance 2005 National Award (Social inclusion category)
It is designed to improve core skills and employability skills, reduce the number of young people not engaging in employment, education or training and ensure sustainability of positive outcomes.
Activate is highlighted in Employability Framework for Scotland: Report of the NEET Workstream. It also contributes to Curriculum for Excellence and Schools of Ambition and Determined to Succeed - the Scottish Government's strategy for enterprise in education with the aim of helping Scotland's young people develop self-confidence, self-belief and the determination to succeed in life and work.
It is aimed at young people who would benefit from additional support to develop their employability skills – skills which would help them make a smooth transition from school into a positive post school opportunity. They should also be eligible to leave school and considering leaving at the end of the academic year. School staff and the Activate Adviser will identify people who could benefit. Membership of Activate is voluntary.
Activate focuses on developing employability skills and pupils work on personal development, career planning and career management. Pupils will also undertake a variety of enterprise activities such as team-building days, college visits, employer visits and fundraising.
Mentoring is also a major aspect of Activate and members will meet on a one-to-one basis with their Activate Adviser during school and for one year after completing the programme. This will give each young person the opportunity to discuss their progress and get support with career planning.
On completion of the programme all group members receive a certificate in recognition of the skills they’ve developed.
Research has shown that three months after completing the programme, more than 88% of the Activate participants were still in a positive destination.*
Activate makes an impact on young people not engaging in employment, education or training reduction*
- Anticipated young people not engaging in employment, education or training outcome for this cohort of pupils: 30%
- National average of young people not engaging in employment, education or training as first destination: 13%
- Actual young people not engaging in employment, education or training after participation in Activate: 8.7%
* Smart/Adams Consultants Activate Evaluation February 2006
SQA Endorsement
Careers Scotland submitted a successful application for SQA Endorsement. Endorsement provides evidence that Activate:
- Consistently delivers its stated aims and objectives
- Meets quality assurance standards
- Is relevant to learners’ needs to bridge their skills gaps
- Is kept under constant review
- Underpins good practice
- Encourages a culture of learning
What is it?
Employability skills programme aimed at up to 20 participants per school per year.
Involves adviser delivering group work sessions and individual mentoring (normally as part of the school curriculum) followed by up to a year's support post - transition.
Who is it aimed at?
Aimed at potential leavers in S4 / S5, both winter and summer leavers. Clients are those most likely to face difficulties making a successful transition into work, training or Further Education, therefore potential young people not engaging in employment, education or training. Pupils who could benefit from the programme are identified by school staff and the Activate Adviser. Membership of Activate is voluntary.
Members of Activate meet as a group while at school and receive on-going support after they leave.
What are the benefits to customers?
- Intensive coherent support from adviser and partner agencies.
- Post transition support. Building up key employability and soft skills.
- Much better prepared to make successful transitions from schools.
- Enjoyable and fun groupwork activities.
Podcast and vodcast - Activate in Fife
A Careers Scotland Activate Adviser, two young people who have taken part, and a guidance teacher talk about their experience of the Activate programme.
To listen to the podcast and vodcast you will need a media player. Find out more from What are podcasts and vodcasts?
Where is Activate available?
Activate is currently running in 96 schools. It is funded by ESF, Careers Scotland and local partners.
- Ayrshire
- Dunbartonshire
- Edinburgh & Lothian
- Fife
- Forth Valley
- Glasgow
- Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- Tayside
- Aberdeenshire
Is staff training required?
Yes
