Last week, fourteen North Highland College UHI students celebrated the completion of a new six week summer programme aimed to help young people into employment, by providing essential training to progress into sustained employment within the Engineering Sector.
From July to August the students have developed engineering employability skills, industry standard training and gained a suite of statutory certificates. The students also benefited from additional Dounreay Training, Industrial Visits, CITB Health, Safety and Environment Course and HELCAT Training.
The content of the course was initially developed after engaging with local engineering employers who wanted to drive the "can do" attitude that they require young people to have prior to working within their organisations.
Discussions with employers in the Caithness and North Sutherland area highlighted the need for a specific programme which would help young people to move into employment either through a modern apprenticeship or other recognised route, to be more work ready from the outset. The programme was agreed locally with seven engineering employers to ensure relevance and endorse the course.
Colin Lehardy, Manager at NDSL commented, "The Engineering Employability Essentials Course appears to have been a great success giving young adults a good insight into what Employers are looking for when they start their working career. As the course covers a range of issues from timekeeping, attendance, practical working to Safe Systems of Work this is a great start giving valuable experience. "
On completion of the course, the fourteen young adults have all been successful in gaining either Modern Apprenticeships, places on full time engineering courses at the College or taken up employment.
Debbie Gray, Director of Enterprise and Innovation for NHC UHI added, "North Highland College fully embraces the opportunities to enhance the skills level of young people in the North Highland area ensuring they are ready for further training and employment opportunities. This is a true partnership approach between the college, employers and Skills Development Scotland and we are delighted with the outcomes from the employability programme we have run over the summer period."
It is hoped that the new summer programme will run again next year and become part of the permanent curriculum offered at North Highland College UHI.
