Careers Scotland Excellence Awards 2007 - Finalists
Congratulations to all 15 finalists who made it through the judging process from the 131 nominations received!
Business Partnership Finalists:
The Inn at Lathones
The Inn at Lathones’ owner Nick White has demonstrated his dedication to inspiring Fife school pupils to consider careers in tourism and hospitality.
Through his involvement in events such as the Food and Drink Challenge and the Kingdom of Fife Schools Tourism Challenge, his motivational talks to schools, and his efforts to help school leavers prepare for employment, Nick has made a real difference to local young people.
INEOS
Pupils in the Forth Valley have benefited hugely from INEOS’ commitment to promoting careers in science and engineering.
The company’s involvement in the organisation of careers events and enthusiastic participation in pupil mentoring schemes have provided thousands of pupils with the chance to make an informed decision about their future careers.
SELEX
Edinburgh school pupils have gained a better understanding of the importance of planning for their futures through SELEX’s participation in a wide range of careers programmes and activities.
SELEX works extensively with pupils of all ages to help them with career planning, and members of SELEX’s apprentice programme also visit schools to talk about their own experiences and act as role models.
Career Education Finalists:
Perth High School
Perth High School has taken a novel approach to encouraging pupils to get involved with careers guidance by adopting a jungle theme under the slogan "Careers Trail – It’s a Jungle Out There".
The school offers a wide range of guidance and support for pupils, which is bolstered by careers insight offered by an array of guest speakers and efforts to involve parents more closely in careers planning.
St Augustine’s RC High School
Pupils at St Augustine’s are urged to think about their careers at every stage of their progression through their secondary education, thanks to the school’s comprehensive range of careers guidance options.
The school’s committed approach involves extensive involvement in Careers Scotland’s Enterprise in Education activities, and also encourages parents to get involved in helping their child decide on the path of their future career.
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School is dedicated to ensuring that pupils are given every opportunity to succeed.
They are encouraged to take advantage of a broad-ranging programme of careers support, which works in partnership with the Tullochan Trust and local social work department to provide valuable advice to pupils at every level of confidence and ability.
Individual Under 20 Finalists:
Shane Ewing
Shane Ewing has overcome the challenges he faced after missing a large proportion of his secondary schooling and has gone on to succeed in further education.
His careers adviser helped him to increase his self-confidence through activities such as art and poetry, and Shane’s own desire to learn helped him to improve his weaker subjects at school. Shane is now on course for a place at Abertay University to study Games Design.
Shanie Moyo
Shanie Moyo’s drive and determination has helped her to set up her own beauty treatment business only a few years after emigrating to Scotland from Africa.
Careers Scotland helped her to start studying for nail technology and beauty courses, and her own impressive self-confidence and willpower allowed her to realise her ambitions.
Lisa Montgomery
Lisa Montgomery’s determination to forge a career in parallel with her responsibilities as a mother has made her into a role model for other young parents.
The Young Parent Project helped Lisa to start studying for a National Certificate in Social Care, and she has excelled, receiving "A" grades in her preliminary college exams and expertly balancing her work life with her family life.
Individual Over 20 Finalists:
Ilona Borchulska
Ilona Borchulska has only been in Scotland for eighteen months, having left her native Poland last April, but she has already proven herself to be willing to work tirelessly to reach her goals.
Ilona’s commitment to thoroughly researching each potential position before the interview helped her to find several jobs. Her dedication to finding suitable employment has led her to her current position as a bilingual customer advisor for Lloyds TSB.
Susan Boyd
Susan’s involvement with the Young Parent Project has been a resounding success.
The Project has boosted her self-confidence by helping her to find a job, and her drive to succeed has seen her work hard towards achieving a qualification in childcare. Her level of achievement is such that she has been chosen as an ambassador to encourage other young parents to get involved in the programme.
Natividad "Nati" Perez Fernandez
After moving to Scotland from Spain, where she was a qualified social worker, Nati worked hard to ensure that she quickly filled the gaps in her knowledge of the British social work system.
While she studied to build on her existing training, Nati was also working as a receptionist, teaching Spanish and taking English classes. Her efforts were swiftly repaid with a contract, and she is now a qualified social worker.
Community Partnership Finalists:
Motherwell College
Motherwell College’s efforts to encourage unemployed young people into further education have proved to be an impressive success.
Their innovative outreach programme has already helped 52 young people who would not have otherwise considered a college course into training and employment, and continues to nurture the ambitions of local youngsters.
Glasgow City Council Development and Regeneration Services
Young parents in Glasgow have received outstanding support from the Council’s Development and Regeneration Services Department.
Through the creation of the Young Parent Project, the Council has taken steps to provide careers planning and training advice to over 100 vulnerable parents aged between 16 and 19. The Project has also provided emotional support and invaluable guidance about how to make the most of tax credits and benefits and source childcare.
Burnfoot Community School
Burnfoot Community School has shown outstanding commitment to instilling confidence in local people and building a strong sense of community spirit.
Based in an area of high unemployment, the School has helped people aged between 16 and 65 develop new skills and find jobs, and has acted as a gateway to further education for many of its attendees.
08/11/07
