CAREER Ready, a social mobility charity empowering young people by connecting them to the world of work, has launched its annual 18-month programme for S5 school students across Scotland.
110 students from Fife’s secondary schools are enrolled in the programme and met their mentor for the first time at a special launch event which was also attended by Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Skills and Education.
The Career Ready programme which has been supported by Diageo across Scotland for the last ten years, inspires and supports young people at risk of not fulfilling their true potential due to their socio-economic circumstances, ensuring they have the skills and opportunity that allow them to thrive in their journey from education into employment.
An incredible 98% of Career Ready participants move into a positive, post-school destination following the 18-month inspirational mentoring relationship along with a crucial paid internship while still at school.
The Fife school students join over 800 other students from 155 secondary schools and 18 local authorities across Scotland embarking on the 2023 Career Ready programme. Across Scotland an amazing 306 organisations from the private, public and third sectors are providing mentors and paid summer 2024 internships for students.
Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Skills and Education, Scotland, said:
“The Scottish Government recognises the hugely valuable role a mentor can play in the education and career journeys of young people.
“Through offering mentors for high school students, Career Ready is giving young people an opportunity to develop their professional skillset as they study, and to learn from the experience their mentors have to offer.”
Kye Beveridge, participated in the Career Ready programme when he was at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes before going on to secure a Modern Apprenticeship at Diageo to because a Mechanical Production Engineer. Kyle met with the Cabinet Secretary before taking to the stage to share his Career Ready experience. He said, “Career Ready was life changing for me. The programme helped me believe in my potential and explore different industries and career opportunities that I didn’t know anything about. I had and still have a great relationship with my mentor, Graeme McGrath and I am honoured to now be a mentor myself to help support the next generation.”
Anne Wexelstein, Director for Scotland, from Career Ready said: “We were delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our Fife launch event today to witness young people meeting with their matched mentor for the first time. The growth of our network and partnerships is a testament to our vision that every young person should have the opportunity to progress to a positive post-school destination and succeed in the world of work, regardless of their background.
“Our partnership with Diageo is a significant one which is now in its tenth year. Since the partnership started, Diageo have directly empowered and supported 377 young people who reflect a social mobility profile. It was fantastic to see the mentoring relationships getting underway in the room today with such enthusiasm. Congratulations to them all for getting underway.”
Alex Robertson, site operations director at Diageo’s packaging plant in Leven and Chair of the Career Ready Fife Advisory Board attended the Fife event. Alan said: “At Diageo, we strongly believe in investing in the future of our youth, and we are thrilled with the continued success, impact and growth of the Career Ready programme.
“This year marks a significant milestone for us as it has been 10 years since we began our partnership, and we are proud to be a leading supporter of this programme in Scotland. We are passionate about supporting the continued positive impact it has on our young people and the business community as a whole.”
For more information visit www.careerready.org.uk/scotland
