Vocational Education in Secondary Schools - creating the future social services workforce!
The Skills for Work Programme - Working in Partnership with Secondary Schools in Aberdeen
Following a successful pilot involving just one Secondary School and 12 pupils in 2005, the Skills for Work Programme has grown to working in partnership with 7 secondary schools and 150 pupils in 2009!
Partnership and collaborative working is the core element of this service model by delivering the programme in schools within existing school timetables - working together with staff from Home Economics Departments.
With extensive knowledge of the local childcare sector we work closely with childcare employers in order to develop employer engagement in offering young people visits, work experience, and ultimately job opportunities.
Employability Skills and Life Skills are embedded throughout the course at Intermediate One and Intermediate Two in the important areas of -
• Child Development and Health
• Parenting
• Play
• Working in Early Education and Childcare
Teaching approaches are based on meeting the needs of young people; creating lesson plans which include, encourage and support all young people while enabling them to be actively participating in their own learning. The programme contributes to delivering on outcomes within the Curriculum for Excellence and the More Choices, More Chances policy guidelines.
On successful completion of their Skills for Work Courses we offer pupils advice on their ‘vocational pathways’ with opportunities to participate in two further qualifications –
• The National Progression Award in Children’s Care & Play
• Higher Early Education and Childcare
“I am going to stay at school until 5th year and then go to work and learn at a nursery at the same time”
Student, class of 2007-2008