School leavers hope to Get Ahead thanks to Inverness College UHI

An innovative new programme which helps school leavers in the Highlands tap in to vocational skills has been declared a resounding success. Those involved in the first ever Get Ahead Project (GAP) at Inverness College UHI worked hard to not only improve their own employability and career options but also found time to raise money for the ARCHIE Foundation children’s charity.

The GAP programme was devised to help high school pupils, who are considering leaving school at Christmas, to make informed decisions about their future. The students, who are from various locations around the Highlands, attended Inverness College UHI twice a week for three months in the run up to December 2011. During this period, they were given practical introductions to over 20 vocational areas and workplaces, allowing them to try out numerous skills in different real life scenarios.

Lecturer Angela Morris, who co-ordinated the GAP programme commented: “The aim of the Get Ahead Project has been to engage the students in a broad range of practical activities to help them make informed choices and raise their awareness of opportunities beyond school, whether in employment, training, Modern Apprenticeships or on a college course. The students have been introduced to many new skills through practical hands-on Skill Set Sessions; from Construction to Cookery and Enterprise to Engineering.”

GAP Programme Students at Inverness College UHI

Ashlynne Glover from Invergordon was among the 15 teenagers to take part in the Get Ahead Project. The 16 year old describes the experience as “incredibly worthwhile”, remarking: “I can honestly say I really enjoyed the whole thing. I met a lot of really nice people and I think we all really matured over the 12 weeks. At the beginning, some of the group didn’t have any idea about what they wanted to do next. Personally, I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser but the GAP programme really opened my eyes to all sorts of jobs. I’m on the waiting list to get onto a Hairdressing course at College. In the meantime I am waitressing at a local hotel, thanks to the hospitality skills I learned through the Get Ahead Project. I would definitely recommend the course.”

In addition to the employment skills gained, the young people were asked to work together to organise four fundraising events as part of the GAP programme, including a Sponsored Leg Wax, a Car Wash, a Coffee & Cupcake morning and a Pyjama Day. Through these initiatives the group raised £160 which was presented to the ARCHIE Foundation, a charity helping local sick children get the medical care they need.

Organisers regard the Get Ahead Project as hugely successful, with the majority of the participating school leavers looking to begin vocational study in either January or June 2012. It is hoped the programme will run again next year, allowing another group of students the opportunity to try out new skills to help inform their choices for the next step in their education or training.

For information on a new programme starting in January 2012 please see the attached 'Head Start' flyer.