Innovative DYW Park School Skills Academy is officially open!

At the special event, Head Teacher Carol-Anne Burns was also joined by Walter Smith, Business Ambassador DYW Ayrshire, Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, Education and Skills and Culture; local member Councillor James Adams, representatives from SL33 and Lorna McCandlish from Miko Coffee Scotland.

The Skills Academy will help to develop vocational, employability and life skills in the young people through structured projects, delivered within the curriculum and as part of the school timetable. The projects will help prepare them for the world of work either in the short term straight from school or in the medium to long term after further education.

The projects are delivered by either college lecturers or appropriately qualified and accredited teachers supported in a number of cases by external partners or individuals with knowledge, experience, and qualifications in the particular field of activity. The young people develop employability and life skills including the core skills referred to as the 6C’s and have the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications recognised by various sectors giving them equality of opportunity.      

Three exciting projects make up the Skills Academy:

• Grand Park Café where young people learn barista skills supported by Miko Coffee
• The Cycle Shed where young people learn about bike repairs
• Shimmer and Shine a training beauty salon

All projects are funded by DYW and supported by Ayrshire College.

Another DYW team supported the opening event. The digital media team ‘Another Angle’ from Grange Academy provided a photographic record of the event as part of their own project development.

Provost Jim Todd said: “I was delighted to officially open the Park School Skills Academy with the Lord-Lieutenant by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. It is so important to engage with our young people and to support brilliant projects like this that will help them to succeed and achieve.

“Work-based education has a very important role to play in helping our young people get ready for being in the workplace and I know the DYW Park School Skills Academy is going to make a positive difference.”

Sheriff Iona McDonald OBE, Lord–Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran said: “It was my great honour and privilege to open this visionary project along with the Provost. I feel that it will open up a wide range of opportunities for the young people and will allow them to grow in confidence and provide them with new skills to assist them in the future. Thanks must also be extended to all the participants who have made these projects possible and, in particular, to all the young people who have worked so hard and with so much enthusiasm."

Head Teacher Carol-Anne Burns said: “The Skills Academy and the three innovative school projects, which make it up, are creating a real difference for our young people. It has allowed us to expand our curriculum and become focused on the importance of work-based education and how it helps enhance our pupils’ chances of employment.

“Our learners have already started to demonstrate new skills such as branding as clearly illustrated by the project names and excellent customer service at the launch. These are exciting and innovative times for our pupils.”

Walter Smith MBE, DYW Ayrshire Business Ambassador said: “The implementation of the three innovative school projects at Park School in record time is a key milestone in the development of employability skills for young people at the school. It has been truly inspiring seeing the positive response of the pupils to the projects. These projects will most importantly provide equal opportunities for all.”