Issued: 20 June 2008
Determined To Succeed Together
Over 100 guests gathered on Thursday 19 June to celebrate, acknowledge and publicise the excellent education-business partnerships that exist within Angus.
During the event, a presentation was made to those formal business partners who have signed agreements to work with Angus schools in the last academic year, in recognition of their extremely valuable contribution to enterprise in education within Angus, and to thank them for their support.
In addition, the winner of this year’s Partnership Excellence Award was announced. This award recognises a specific sample of partnership working between education and the business community, which has made a significant impact on the learning experiences of young people.
This year’s winner is Brechin High School, and its partnership with Forster’s Roofing Services Ltd and Angus College.
This partnership, launched in 2007, has seen the delivery of the roofing module in the Skills for Work Programme for Brechin High School.
Sessions are held in Forster’s bespoke practical training area designed specifically for teaching this course and for many pupils this is their first introduction to being in a place of work.
Pupils divide their time learning the technical theory of roof tiling and slating and various roofing products and get their chance to physically learn the trade.
Angus College and Forster Roofing Services Ltd co-ordinated the construction and installation of specifically designed roof rigs for the course, and the roofing products and tools are all on hand. A roofing lecturer from Angus College delivers the course with Brechin High School providing supervision support for the duration of the class. Various members of Forster staff, such as senior management and construction staff are in attendance to offer their support too.
Thanking all those businesses who work in partnership with Angus schools, Education convener Peter Nield said: “Scotland’s future depends on young people leaving school with positive attitudes, good core skills, an understanding of business and entrepreneurship and a thirst for lifelong learning.
“Helping make this happen is what the government’s strategy for enterprise in education, Determined to Succeed, is all about - a long term drive to build an enterprise culture in Scotland by starting in the classroom. Its success relies on the wholehearted support of the business community - something that businesses from in and around Angus have been embracing.
“By building partnerships between local businesses and schools, Angus school pupils are developing their strengths and talents and their skills, attitudes and knowledge required to realise their full potential, and become the successful employees, employers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
A spokesperson for Forster Roofing said: “It is our hope that following the successful delivery of this pilot programme that we can continue to support our local school and college to provide innovative means of delivering construction skills and qualifications.”
At this event a certificate will be awarded in recognition of all the short-listed nominations and the winning entry will receive a commemorative trophy for the school and partner involved.
All business input, no matter how big or small, will be very welcome by Angus schools. Any businesses interested in working in partnership with education to promote and support enterprise in Angus should contact Joanne McFadden, (Acting) Business Liaison Officer on (01307) 473632 for information.