Scottish Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance MSP, met students at Cardonald College Glasgow on Wednesday 8 February to discuss their experiences of studying three new and innovative courses. Run in conjunction with ScottishPower, the engineering-related courses are aimed at young people, some of whom who have struggled in the past to get into education or employment.
Ms Constance met two classes groups in the College’s workshops and discussed their experiences of being unemployed and their difficulties of studying while at school.
The courses include Skills for Work Engineering, which is recruited in schools by Glasgow City Council, ScottishPower and Cardonald; and the Engineering Foundation Programme (National Progression Award Electrical Engineering). The Skills for Work and Power Skills course both act as potential feeder courses for Engineering Foundation Programme (NPA Electrical Engineering).
Commenting on the partnership between ScottishPower and Cardonald, the Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said:
“I have spent a lot of time in the last few weeks meeting young people in training and have been struck by their enthusiasm and desire to achieve, and ScottishPower’s workforce programmes are no different.
“I want to continue to hear about the experiences of young people. We have guaranteed every 16-19 year old a place in training or employment through Opportunities for All and their views are a crucial part tackling the challenge of youth unemployment in Scotland and improving the life chances of all our young people.”
Melanie Hill, Director of HR Development at ScottishPower said:
“Through our partnership with Cardonald College Glasgow we are pleased to be able to offer young people the opportunity to gain valuable vocational qualifications and industry experience on our Engineering Foundation Programme.
“As part of the course, students will spend time with ScottishPower engineers at our training centre in Cumbernauld where they will develop their knowledge and skills and gain a valuable insight into the industry and the type of employment opportunities that are available to them.”
John McMulkin, from Dunfermline, is one of the 14 students on the Engineering Foundation Programme NPA Electrical Engineering course. Commenting, he said: “The course is a great stepping stone into a career in electrical engineering. I am really enjoying it and, despite having to travel for over an hour every day to get here, I have never missed a class.”
John is one of 11 students on the Engineering Foundation Programme (NPA Electrical Engineering) course who live outside of the Greater Glasgow area. Other students on the course travel from Cumbernauld and Falkirk.
David Innes, Head of Faculty for Technology and Business at Cardonald, said: “The success of the three courses is a testament to the strong partnership that has developed between Scottish Power and Cardonald. Scottish Power do a wonderful job of recruiting the students for us and they always select students who are committed, willing and eager to learn.
“Everyone at the College is really proud of the students and we wish them continued success in the future.”
Notes to editors:
Cardonald College Glasgow is a major provider of further and higher education, located in South-West Glasgow. With an annual turnover of £20 million, the College is home to over 2,000 full-time students, 10,000 part-time students and 400 staff (full time equivalent).The College is accredited by many awarding bodies such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), VTCT, City & Guilds, CISCO and Microsoft and has excellent links with major universities and art schools across the country.
In 2012 Cardonald College Glasgow is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
For further information on Cardonald College Glasgow, contact Teri Quinn on tquinn@cardonald.ac.uk or call 0141 272 3174 or Amanda Proud on aproud@cardonald.ac.uk or 0141 272 3327.