This collection of case studies examines the importance of developing essential employability and life skills in young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. They highlight the importance of providing the right blend of enterprising learning opportunities for each young person's stage and circumstances.
Challenge, enjoyment and choice permit a more personalised learning experience and schools utilise other learning environments and engage with employers and the community as a means of boosting confidence, self-esteem and to prepare the young people for employment in a competitive market.
The context of Curriculum for Excellence - Building the Curriculum 5Curriculum for Excellence aims to ensure that all young people in Scotland achieve the high standards of achievement, including attainment, needed for life and work in the 21st century. The knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and capabilities that children and young people will need for the future will be different to those in the past and within a more challenging environment.
'Building the Curriculum 4 - Skills for learning, skills for life and skills' for work sets out why the development of skills is crucial in helping young people develop into successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
It also emphasises the importance of partnership working to deliver Curriculum for Excellence.
These enterprising projects aim to:
- develop the life skills required to live independently.
- demonstrate the importance of tailoring vocational education courses to the needs and capabilities of the young people
- explore the crucial role that employers (especially local employers) play in developing the necessary skills for the workplace.
Case studies
Expressive arts as a vehicle for boosting confidence and self-esteem
This case study examines the work done at the Kibble Centre to boost confidence and raise self esteem through expressive arts activities.
Using social enterprise as a vehicle for training and employment
This case study demonstrates how disadvantaged young people develop confidence, self esteem, employability, life and work skills through the opportunities available at Kibble Works.
Project involving traveller children to develop interdisciplinary learning
This case study from Thorntree Primary School brings together the classroom and cultural background of occupational traveller children to give them experiences of enterprising, entrepreneurial, vocationally oriented and career-related learning which is effectively connected to the world of work.
Developing skills for learning, life and work through work-related learning
This case study from Glencryan School provides an insight into the enterprising approach that the Glencryan School has adopted in the senior phase planning.
Developing skills for life and work through supported work placements
Young people with additional support needs are supported by Reid Kerr College through work experience. This support enables students to develop confidence and employability skills.
Developing skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work through supported work placements
This case study provides an insight into the wide range of work experience opportunities that are offered through the Royal Blind School in S4, S5 and S6 to enable young people to develop employability, life and work skills.
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