A simple “business-friendly” work placement toolkit has been launched to encourage North-east employers to offer pupils work experience.
The 16-page guide is a joint initiative by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils and Skills Development Scotland.
It aims to support employers in hosting more work placements for young people of school age, as well as encouraging those not currently hosting placements to begin doing so.
This lets young people improve their work readiness and helps address the skill and employment gaps that currently exist in the North-east of Scotland, as well as highlighting different career opportunities to young people.
Previous research into the links between schools and businesses carried out by the Chamber had found that 67 businesses in the region had established a link with a secondary school and that 12,000 young people in the North-east were participating in some sort of third party activity.
Work placements for school pupils was identified as a key area where the Chamber could make a difference to skills development in the North-east, which it has driven through its skills network.
The research and subsequent consultations highlighted the potential for a much wider range of members to get involved in work placements, especially in under-represented sectors such as finance and legal services, rural businesses, food & drink, hospitality & tourism, and construction.
Chamber membership network manager Mary Holland, who coordinates the skills network group, said, “The toolkit has been created in such a way that it is useful for businesses of all types, sectors, shapes and sizes and provides simple guidance on hosting all types of placement, demonstrating how easy it can be to become involved.
“The draft text of the toolkit has been widely and universally well received and it has already attracted interest at a national level from Education Scotland and the Scottish Government.
“They are currently carrying out a consultation on a National Work Experience Standard, which they are keen for the Skills Network to contribute to with their learnings.
“This is a great endorsement of the group’s work so far and an opportunity for recognition of the Chamber’s work nationally.”