Throughout the school holidays, 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy launched ‘Future Ready’, a summer programme focused on getting young people ready for employment. The project is fully supported through Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership’s employability grant programme. The academy welcomed young people aged from 16-years-old who live within Renfrewshire to get involved with taster sessions for different career options as well as CV preparation and interview techniques. The teenagers have explored a different industry including creative arts and digital media to science, how to start up your own business, AI & technology, and sustainability.

Michael Hines started out in a theatre and dance company teaching young people therefore was delighted to return to his origins and accepted the invite from The Skills Academy to inspire youngster and share his take on the film and tv world.

As avid-fans of Still Game, young people were instantly intrigued about meeting ‘the Director’ with one researching him online beforehand and the group discussing the earning potential of having a career behind the camera lens.

Michael introduced himself to the young audience and asked if any were interested in pursuing a career in the film and television industry and was pleased to see many were, he enthusiastically shared the variety of roles and departments available from filming, editing, costumes and set design. It was thought-provoking for youngsters to see how their artistic talent or own interests could be valued within film and television production.

An insight into the process of creating a comedy series like Still Game was given too and an outline of the number of weeks allotted to prepare locations, shoot and edit. It’s fast-paced with a high level of attention to detail required.

We were taken on Michael’s career journey – he talked us through the early days of teaching himself how to do camera work and having to become a magician to earn before directing and working alongside producers, actors and editors. It was also exciting to hear the director discuss moviemaking as Michael is fresh from launching his debut feature ‘Man and Witch’ in the US.

A piece of life advice from Michael was to learn how to advocate and stand-up for your opinion or viewpoint as you may have to justify your creative choices. Michael also broached the interest youngsters had wondering if a Director could become rich and famous. He shared that budgeting is key as most professionals in the industry operate as free-lancers and must learn to manage finances across multiple short-term projects for the full-year. It was an honest account reinforcing that enthusiasm and hard-work ethic are essential to building a successful career in the film and tv industry.

Young people were keen to ask Michael his favourite thing about directing Still Game and the project he is most proud to have been a part of.

The session had an impact on young people who were inspired that a career in creative arts is possible. The group of youngsters have a range of interests and one is particularly talented in creating colourful artwork, which has the potential to bring to life any film and tv set design.

Lisa, Head of the Skills Academy at 91¶¶Òõ, said: “The Future Ready programme has been incredibly popular with young people across Renfrewshire and we are thrilled there has been such a good uptake from professionals to come into the centre and share their skills and insight in order to inspire our future generations.

“Many of our young people at the Skills Academy were very familiar with Michael’s work and came armed with a host of questions to ask him.

“Michael’s workshop was very insightful and incredibly well-received by the attendees and we would like to thank him for giving up his time to come and join us on our Future Ready venture.”

Michael, Film and Television Director added: “I really enjoyed talking to the group at the Skills Academy.

“They were engaged, interested and inquisitive.

“I would urge any professional to give a little of their time – you’ll get so much in return.”

The visit was a highlight of Future Ready, The Skills Academy’s summer career taster sessions, which is fully supported through Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership’s employability grant programme.

Future Ready is a summer programme focused on getting young people ready for employment. The project is fully supported through Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership’s employability grant programme. The career taster sessions are being delivered by 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy who have welcomed young people from 16-years-old. Each week concentrates on a different industry and topics have spanned from creative arts and digital media to science, how to start up your own business, AI and technology, and sustainability.

Head of The Skills Academy, Lisa and Skills Academy Gardening Instructor, Stephen led a practical gardening workshop inspiring young people to transform an outdoor space from a wild garden to a fully functional allotment. As part of the project, young people were taught all aspects of the process from how to operate machinery and plant vegetable and flower beds.

The aspiring-gardeners were keen to get outside and be involved in the allotment renovation challenge. Youngsters enthusiastically cleared weeds and rocks; cut the grass and trimmed the hedges. One young person proudly held up a 5-foot tall thistle weed they had conjured out of the ground in the tidy-up.

Young people were made aware of the career possibilities gardening can offer. Already at the academy, the SVQ Gardening qualification is a popular choice. The partnership between 91¶¶Òõ and St Mirren Football Club also seen the launch of a Groundskeeper Traineeship role recruiting one young person to become qualified in helping to maintain the pristine condition of the football grounds and operate the advanced machinery.

“Gardening is something I now enjoy since trying it at The Skills Academy. I found it therapeutic even though before this I had never picked up a gardening tool in my life. 

I could be a gardener one day!â€� – Young person involved in Future Ready

Future Ready is proud to deliver a wide variety of career taster sessions for young people to discover new interests or build on an existing talent as well as prepare a CV and feel confident in attending interviews. The six-week course continues throughout the upcoming month with sessions from a graffiti-artist and DJ music-making workshop.

91¶¶Òõ Project Coordinator, Paige helped mentor young people throughout the script-writing process as part of the Delivering Equally Safe Programme. The project is funded by Scottish Government and managed by Inspiring Scotland with the overall aim to supports the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls.

Together with funders and partners including I Am Me, Police Scotland and West College Scotland, the material will become part of the online resources taught to stop child exploitation. By co-producing educational resources with pupils, the impact will be greater as it incorporates the point-of-view from young people.

91¶¶Òõ CEO, Jim Gillespie, shared: “Creative projects like this enable young people to explore and convey their emotions, whilst developing confidence and self-belief. A great initiative to be involved in and we’re thrilled to share resources, working together to support and educate others.â€�

Titled as ‘Trouble’, the play was brought to life and performed West College Scotland HND Acting students.

West College Scotland’s Curriculum Quality Leader for Drama, Dance, and Music, Gillian Desjacques, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating: “It’s been immensely rewarding to witness the dedication and creativity of our students as they address such crucial issues through the power of performance. Collaborating with 91¶¶Òõ on this project has been a privilege, and I’m thrilled to see the positive impact it will have in raising awareness and supporting young people across Scotland.â€�

Meet The Pupils

The YPI involved young people working in groups to research a social cause important to them before creating and delivering a presentation to a group of judges. The judging panel awarded one winning team the fulfilling prize of gifting their selected charity a grant of £3K.

Meet The Charities

This year, five groups reached the final with their carefully crafted and well-researched presentations. The finalist charities who were represented included: Beatson, Make a Wish, SISCO, Turning Point Scotland and SAMH.

Pupils had met with the charities, asking questions and gaining an insight into the important life-changing impact each one has on people’s daily lives.

The interviews between pupils and charities were essential for the young presenters to share and convey the genuine, monumental difference their charity makes in the world to the esteemed judges.

Meet the Judges

The judging panel consisted of members from 91¶¶Òõ’s Education Management Team as well as Education Sub-Committee members and 91¶¶Òõ Board Members. Each judge listened intently to young people explain the need for their charity, the valuable work carried out by the charity and what it means to those affected to have the charity’s help, support and encouragement. After much deliberation, the judges announced the winning charity for 2023 was SISCO who received the £3,000 grant.

Norrie McKay, 91¶¶Òõ Education Sub- Committee member, shared, “It was a privilege to hear from you all. It was an inspiring event. The pupils showed great courage and commitment and I hope they are able to engage further with their chosen charities.â€�

Norrie’s fellow Sub-Committee member, Varri Steel, commented, “It was wonderful experience, and it was clear to see the young people got a lot out of the experience.�

About the Winning Charity

(SISCO) is helping to build a bridge between prison and the community by offering ways of recovery to individuals caught up in a cycle of addiction. SISCO’s powerful work involves many activities including: delivering health and well-being sessions, mentor sessions, hill walks, park walks, daily phone support, signposting to other services and pathways to education. Thank you to SISCO for your hard-work, determination, and dedication to supporting your community.

The thought of moving forward into employment and living alone can be daunting. Suddenly having the sole responsibility to manage finances, maintain a job, cook and have a social life can feel overwhelming. Many individuals face this milestone with guidance from family and friends. However, for others, there can be a lack of support as a result of facing adversity and trauma from a young age.

91¶¶Òõ, with funding from Nationwide, is helping care-experienced young people live independently and enjoy having their own home. The funding has enabled 91¶¶Òõ to deliver the SQA Level 4 Successful Tenancy award, which is specifically designed to prepare learners to live safely themselves and encourage them to explore and be part of their local area. The qualification equips young people with the skills and knowledge needed to start the process as well as maintaining living alone while preventing isolation.

Our Employability and Tenancy Officer, Gillian Tod offers a helping hand to young people, ensuring they receive a high level of support with personal finance, cooking, gaining employment and more. Young people have access to valuable support that can help them create a safe space to call their home and live a healthy lifestyle. The responsibilities of living independently are made manageable through Gillian’s advice and encouragement. Young people develop self-esteem, self-confidence and look positively towards the future.

Finding employment for young people is a priority of the project. Assistance with CV writing, interview preparation and linking young people to jobs and placements all help young people to start working. The opportunity to gain work experience, begin a job and earn money creates a sense of purpose and helps form friendships. Overall, contributing to a happy and healthy home life.

91¶¶Òõ held a job fair for young people to learn more about the career opportunities available to them. Local businesses were invited to discuss their professions in more detail. Young learners were inspired by a range of organisations including National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS), West College Scotland, Howden and more.

Employability and Tenancy Officer, Gillian Tod has seen a change since the project began. She said, “Young people have made such progress in living independently, finding a job they enjoy and earning money since the project began. We recognise it is challenging to make the first step in applying for a job and then continue with the responsibilities of working while having your own home, however, there is a high level of support available to help young people see it through, feel a sense of achievement and plan for a brighter future.”

“One young person in particular has started plans for the future, expressing interest in learning more about saving with hopes of applying for a mortgage one day.�

Employability and Tenancy Officer, Gillian Tod

Nationwide Paisley Branch Manager, Ronnie Girvan shared, “We are delighted to hear about the value the funding is bringing to the lives of young people who are living independently. The Nationwide Paisley branch will offer further support to young people by hosting learning sessions about how to save and how to apply for a mortgage. We will do all that we can to help young people develop skills in finance management.�

Moving forward, the project will continue to strengthen the confidence levels of young people, ensuring they are capable to maintain independent living throughout the future.