The ‘Future Ready’ project is funded by Renfrewshire Employability Provision with Invest Renfrewshire and encourages youngsters to gain experience and qualifications at the academy.

Each month, two learners attend the academy for two weeks before completing a week of work experience. Since the project began, 10 young people have earned valuable credentials and taken a big step towards finding and sustaining employment.

There’s a full range of fun and interesting subjects for young people to get involved in. By trying out different topics, they discover what they truly enjoy and might want to pursue as a career. Time has been spent in the Painting and Decorating workshops, the Horticulture and Gardening polytunnels and Catering and Hospitality industrial kitchen space.

Meet Some of Our Future Ready Students

Meet the chef-in-the-making

Meet one of the young gardeners

The young person found enjoyment in going outside and being active, seeing their gardening projects take shape through their care, creativity and effort. Exploring plants, tools and how things grow has sparked a passion for transforming outdoor spaces.

The aspiring young gardener is looking forward to their final week’s work experience at St Mirren Football Club’s Training Complex. They’ll learn first-hand from the professional Groundskeeper and help maintain the grass and Astro-turf pitches in all weather conditions, gaining skills and experience to turn their passion for gardening into real-life experience. The young person is ready to be part of a team and see the first-team in action, making a real contribution to a premiership club.

Young people have found their time at the academy extremely fulfilling with one saying: “I couldn’t wait to see what I’d learn each day instead of the usual school routine.�

Head of The Skills Academy, Lisa Wardlaw is proud to support young people develop aspirations for their future: “The smiles from young people highlights the value of our supportive environment and practical lessons in boosting confidence, motivation and employability.  ‘Future Ready’ funded by Renfrewshire Employability Provision has strengthened the of number life-changing opportunities we can offer young people.â€�

Head of The Skills Academy, Lisa. Photo taken by Chris James.

Through real-world placements, each young person can step confidently towards a future career.

A young person interested in cooking learned the basics of working in a professional kitchen, preparing healthy meals, understanding food hygiene and making meals from scratch. The young person began to visualise herself in a career crafting meals, inventing recipes and helping fuel the team to victory and supporting the players reach success.

The learning journey continues. For the final week’s work experience placement, she will go to St Mirren Football Club’s Training Complex in Ralston and spend time within their elite kitchen facilities, alongside a close-knit team of chefs and cooks, preparing meals for the first-team squad and youth players. She will also have the responsibility of traveling there herself to give her the full experience of having a career in the industry.

Keith Lasley, Chief Operation Officer at St Mirren Football Club shared how impressed he was by the youngsters completing work experience. He said: “St Mirren Football Club wants the entire community to thrive. Our aim is to be the best community-centred football club in Scotland the partnership with 91¶¶Òõ means big steps can be taken to tackle youth employment across Renfrewshire.â€�

“We’ve welcomed young people into our catering team and their energy and enthusiasm has added real value to our hospitality operations, helping to fuel players and fans while motivating our wider team, knowing we are all working towards a bigger picture. The involvement with 91¶¶Òõ and the Future Ready project funded by Renfrewshire Employability Provision has added a strong altruistic element to the way we work and is in line with our pillars of Paisley, People and Performance.â€�

91¶¶Òõ is dedicated to helping young people develop skills for learning, life and work.

About 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy

The Skills Academy has an education and training centre in Hillington and additional locations at St Mirren Football Club’s stadium and training complex. The partnership with a Scottish Premiership football team lets young people complete real-life development projects in a business environment, boosting their confidence. The work experience helps strengthen their CV, helping them progress toward becoming professional painters.

The Purpose of 91¶¶Òõ’s Partnership with St Mirren Football Club

The partnership between 91¶¶Òõ and a Scottish Premiership team aims to help Renfrewshire, and the people who live in the area, to thrive.

St Mirren is a community-centred football club focused on delivering positive results on and off the pitch. By growing the club, the wider community benefits too. The club wants to deliver an outstanding match day experience to all and are prepared to invest in facilities. The decision was made to renovate Club 1877 into a stylish event space for fans. Steps were taken to transform Club 1877 into an exclusive bar and lounge hospitality venue.

Students learning trades at 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy were to be involved in the project, helping to address youth employment and boost young workforce development.

Let’s Renovate Club 1877

Club 1877 development plans began, and 91¶¶Òõ Graphic Designer Michelle visualised a brand-new layout, reinventing Club 1877 into a bright, modern and unique event space.

Michelle and the design plan.

To bring the design process to life, highly skilled professionals had to work alongside one another, ensuring every detail had a quality finish. The project required collaboration between external companies as well as 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy. Young people had the opportunity to apply their trade skills to the full refurbishment.

Painting and Decorating Instructor Paul is a mentor to students from The Skills Academy. Paul led the young apprentices as members of the renovation team.

Club 1877 was one of the biggest projects to date for the young people. Immediately, the students agreed they were up for the challenge, happy for the chance to show off their painting and decorating skills.

Instructor Paul described the important role of The Skills Academy: “A full decoration was required as the area had been extended and was to be transformed.�

“Firstly, I oversaw young people complete ames taping, which is a specialised technique that is an alternative to plastering. It is an essential task, although repetitive, yet the young apprentices were keen to get involved and remained interested. They were determined to perfect their technique and finalise the smooth surface. I explained that the time taken to ames tape would benefit the paint finish, which young people fully understood. It was brilliant to watch them see the transformation from beginning to end. Their motivation continued throughout the project as the space began to take shape as we moved through the design process.�

A highlight for Instructor Paul was seeing young people share their passion with external companies: “Young people enjoyed working with St Mirren and tying in with external companies. I was impressed with how professional they interacted with others. St Mirren Health and Safety Manager, Mark and the team from Halliday Construction as well as others, all joined in with supporting the youngsters. We worked together as we had a shared determination to make sure every detail was complete to the highest standard. There was the added incentive to show young people the value of helping create a space people enjoy being in. Everyone encouraged the young apprentices and made them feel part of the team.�

The young people involved were proud of the new Club 1877 – Paul confirmed that was clear to see: “Once Club 1877 was renovated, one of the young people involved asked me to take photos of him in the area as he wanted to show his family what we’d been working on. I found it incredibly rewarding to know the young person felt proud of contributing to the renovation.�

“The high-profile, real-life design project was exactly what young people needed to advance their skill level. Every task – whether seemingly small or significant – the young apprentices were up for trying as they knew the purpose of the task was to create a space for actual people to use.�

Instructor Paul and the students from The Skills Academy were pleased to help contribute with the transformative end result: “The before and after of Club 1877 can only be described as night and day. It began with Designer Michelle seeing the potential – her design brief gave us an understanding of the expectations and inspired us to get to work. It took patience, care and a range of trade skills but we all worked closely together to design a space we hope will be enjoyed by fans.�

The renovation project has completely transformed Club 1877 into a stylish bar and lounge hospitality venue.

Keith Lasley, Chief Operating Officer at St Mirren Football Club expressed gratitude to the young people involved in the refurbishment of Club 1877: “Their hard work, creativity and attention to detail have played a vital role in transforming the space into a modern, high-quality venue that our supporters can enjoy on match days and for private events.”

“This project reflects the strength of the partnership between St Mirren and 91¶¶Òõ, providing young people with opportunities to develop their skills in a real working environment while delivering outstanding results for the club.”

“My thanks go to the young people, their instructors, our professional contractors, the design team and our club staff.”

The result was an impressive transformation made possible due to help from 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy students

Join 91¶¶Òõ

Now it’s your turn to make an impact in young people’s lives. Apply now to work at 91¶¶Òõ and build a career inspiring young people to thrive.

The Skills Academy is our education and training centre that exists to help young people achieve qualifications, complete work experience and one day enter the world of work. There are plenty of subjects to pick from, giving young people the chance to spend time channelling their genuine interests into valuable skills. Painting and decorating, mechanics, horticulture and garden and more are all options.

An imaginative and creatively minded young person decided to enrol in the academy’s painting and decorating course. Quickly picking up advanced surface treatments, detailed brushwork and intricate decorative finishes, she is truly enjoying channelling her passion for design into learning a professional skill.

She is feeling more and more confident after each lesson and practical project. As time passes, she is beginning to picture the livelihood she could possibly have if she continues to develop her painting and decorating techniques.

Within the academy’s painting and decorating workshop, young people work closely with the Painting and Decorating Instructor and learn by transforming spaces themselves. From beginning to end, young people prepare surfaces and try different painting and decorating techniques while carefully using and maintaining the relevant equipment and prioritising safety. With a strong foundation in painting skills, the learners can explore endless creative possibilities.

The Skills Academy started planning for Halloween months ago using their horticulture and gardening skills to grow giant pumpkins. Seeds were planted in the community garden, which young people care for with the help of our Sustainability and Green Skills Instructor. The youngsters watched the pumpkins take shape until it was time to pick and decorate a traditional jack-o’-lantern in time for Friday 31^stÌý°¿³¦³Ù´Ç²ú±ð°ù.

Young people had fun getting creative, adding frightful features and ghoulish grins to their homegrown pumpkins. The result was an eye-catching display of original masterpieces.

As a young boy, one Skills Academy student had an avid interest in cars, motorbikes and speedboats. There was always the hope of one day owning a powerful car, and growing up, as the years pass by and cars evolve, the ideal make and model may continue to change but the passion has remained stronger than ever.

The young person had a vision of becoming a car and motorbike mechanic, and The Skills Academy has brought his ambition to life. With an education and training centre based in Hillington as well as bases at St Mirren Football Club’s stadium and separate Training Complex, there are numerous subject choices, work placements and opportunities. It was the academy’s fully operational car garage that the aspiring mechanic set his sights on. The workshop maintains 91¶¶Òõ’s large fleet of vehicles and is the perfect learning environment for the young person.

The Mechanic Youth Trainer, Ross oversees servicing and maintenance and leads by example to all young people. Extremely knowledgeable in mechanics and always willing to help others, Ross is often found in the car garage at Hillington completing checks on 91¶¶Òõ vehicles across each location. He is a friendly face to everyone and prides himself on delivering exceptional service, ensuring the highest standards are met. Ross’ commitment is clear to see and he is a positive influence to students, showing them, you can have a rewarding career in a job you thoroughly enjoy.

Instructor Ross mentors aspiring mechanics.

The young person shared his experience of working towards SVQ and City and Guilds qualifications in mechanics: â€œI learn something new every day working at the academy’s garage with Instructor, Ross. It is absolutely amazing to get involved with the maintenance of the cars and have support from a professional mechanic like Ross. I would 100% work for Ross as a mechanic.â€�

“At the academy, I help repair cars and vans by fixing issues or completing a service. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in how cars and motorbikes work, and at the academy I am understanding more and more.�

“The next step is to go to college, possibly an apprenticeship then Formula 1!�

Instructor Ross motivates young people to set career goals.

Instructor Ross truly believes mentoring young people is the best part of his entire career. He continues to be impressed by the enthusiasm of those who want to enter the industry: â€œThis young person is a natural mechanic – keen to ask questions, picks up practical skills quickly and has a sound understanding of the different parts and tools.â€�

“I have taught many talented young people, some of whom are now very successful qualified mechanics. This young person in particular is one of the most dedicated students I have ever taught. The young person, even if they can’t fix an issue (yet) is showing great promise in being able to problem-solve and identify where the area of concern is originating from. It has been a privilege to see their aptitude, skillset and knowledge increase since achieving their qualifications.�

Now, on the wishlist is a Transporter Golf R and a Volkswagen. However, the young person says he is already living his dream by working on vehicles every day.

Join Ross

Find out more about the career opportunities at 91¶¶Òõ that would suit you! This is your chance to join us in motivating young people.

The Skills Academy is 91¶¶Òõ’s education and training centre, which supports young people in preparing for their future. Students can gain academic and vocational qualifications and receive help to enter the world of work or begin higher education. Time at the academy boosts confidence and encourages young people to fulfil their potential and achieve.

Young people who attend The Skills Academy often discover an interest in one of the various subject choices available and start to consider pursuing a livelihood in their preferred industry. For one particular young person, their curiosity lay in building, operating machinery and understanding how technical tools function. The student has excelled in engineering-related subjects. As well as prioritising English and Maths, the young person fully engages in the practical lessons, career guidance and employer partnerships that the Skills Academy can offer.

At the academy, the young person has spent time in the construction and joinery workshop and successfully completed their Construction Craft and Technician SCQF Level 4 qualification. The hands-on learning experience of technical drawing, building stable structures and health and safety provided a solid foundation of how to learn about engineering.

Also, the young person attended West College Scotland and completed an Introduction to Engineering. The coursework involved studying: mechanical and fabrication, electrical and electronic, and maintenance. The insight into key topics confirmed this is the field the young person has the power to excel in.

The employer partnership between 91¶¶Òõ’s Skills Academy and Howden Compressors led to a 10-week taster apprenticeship for the young person. The young person joined the team at the major engineering firm and saw for themselves the camaraderie of all who were dedicated to forming a finalised product from separate components. The packed schedule only strengthened the motivation of the aspiring engineer.

The young person described their first look into the world of engineering as exciting. Immediately, from the very first day, he felt welcome. He explained: “On my first day I was given workwear, work boots and a red hard hat – whereas everyone who worked there wore a white hat. This is another safety measure, so that visitors can easily be identified. I was the only red hat, which made me stand out but each person who passed by me said hello and was friendly.�

“I was taught that each area designed a specific component, before helping slot the sections together. It was fascinating to see the process from beginning to end and the attention to detail at every stage.�

“I enjoyed meeting new people too. The people I worked with explained their career journeys and it made me imagine the steps I would take to become an engineer and hopefully tell a similar story one day. I want a job where the days go quick because I am busy doing something I enjoy. Another dream I have is to travel and engineering is a job that could let me work abroad or save up to go on holiday.�

“Once the 10-week placement ended, I decided to apply for Howden’s Apprenticeship Programme. I knew it was popular with thousands of applicants but that didn’t stop me from trying and sharing my enthusiasm for the company.�

“When I applied for the official Howdens Apprenticeship Programme, I was accepted through to the interview stage. I met the other applicants and some had Highers, degrees, and more work experience than me. I started to think there was no way I could compete with them but reminded myself I can keep learning and one day become an engineer. There’s always next year’s round of apprenticeship applications.�

Head of Planning at Howden Compressors, Bruce welcomed the young person’s interest into the world of engineering: “The student showed great enthusiasm and maturity for engineering and if their determination continues, the young person has huge potential to be a bright spark in the industry.�

“Howden Compressors is committed to developing talent, and meeting a young person with a clear sense of direction was inspiring for us as well. During the work placement, they engaged directly with our Apprentices and Engineers, asking questions about the field and each individual’s career path. It was apparent they were eager to learn and genuinely curious about the experiences and insights of those around them.�

The young person’s self-belief is inspiring and he has the full support of his academy Instructors and Employability Coordinator. Resilience is a character trait that cannot be underestimated and together with the education team, the young person will move closer to vision of starting a career as an engineer.

91¶¶Òõ Employability Coordinator, Gillian says it has been a privilege to watch the student aim to be an engineer. She is proud of the young person for completing the work placement and putting themselves forward for the Apprenticeship Programme while still only a teenager.

Gillian explains how impressed she has been with the young person’s perseverance: “It seemed as if the student took the work placement at Howden in his stride. It was a totally new experience for him, yet he thrived in the workplace and now has a reference for future applications.�

“By reaching the interview stage of Howden’s Apprenticeship Programme, narrowly missing one of the ten apprenticeships available, he remains positive and still eager to become an engineer and continue with college before re-applying to apprenticeship opportunities in the future.�

“He is a winner in our eyes here at the academy.�

This future engineer is only getting started.

Join Our Team

Find out about the career opportunities at 91¶¶Òõ and be inspired to help young people fulfil their potential.

Young people hoping to one day have a career in construction can gain the necessary qualifications and experience at The Skills Academy. Alongside the set timetable with familiar instructors, the academy welcomes external businesses to host workshops. Students speak directly with professionals and potential future employers, giving them a deeper insight into the industry they are interested in.  

The Verdancy Group, which delivers sustainability training and guidance to organisations, came along to teach our construction students how to consider the environment when completing building projects. The practical session involved tutorials, group tasks and technical training on topics spanning heat loss and ventilation.

Students saw for first-hand the difference that sustainable approaches can have on energy efficiency. Retrofitting buildings with improved green technologies helps control indoor temperatures and lowers energy bills. Plus, proper insulation creates a healthier living space, maintaining property value. The training motivated the future developers to state their preference would be to design and build in ways that strives to minimise the carbon footprint.

Questions from young people were answered by real-world consultants. The genuine enthusiasm that the experts had about the growing importance of sustainability in construction energised young people to caring about the environment too.

As the academy students continue working towards a career in construction, their understanding of building sustainably, adds a competitive edge to their CV in an increasingly eco-conscious field.

Construction Instructor Craig is an experienced joiner who mentors young people interested in learning a trade. Craig motivates the aspiring apprentices to get involved in a wide range of development projects, becoming confident in using different tools safely, taking measurements, and building pieces into place. He wants young people to take pride in what they are working on and makes the time to share the purpose and function of the build. By being interested from the start, young people are more likely to pay close attention to detail throughout the manual process and realise the reward in watching their progression be the reason for a visible transformation.

The Skills Academy is 91¶¶Òõ’s education and training centre that helps young people prepare for the world of work. Pupils who may not have enjoyed going to school before, now have the opportunity to try a new learning environment. Within the academy, there are dedicated areas for each subject. There’s our car garage for mechanics, greenhouses for gardening, and a large open-plan space to build, bricklay and operate machinery for construction.

An essential part of being a joiner is woodwork, and when teaching, pieces of wood need to be cut with power saws. To help contain the dust, an enclosed workshop within the shared space would be useful, and the opportunity to build one happened when a previous project had leftover timber. Immediately, Craig envisioned a plan for a wooden structure, big enough to house the large power saw and cut wood.

Instructor Craig and the students worked together and an an impressive structure is beginning to take shape within the construction site at The Skills Academy in Hillington.

Craig explained the thought required: “A lot of work went into the build, and there are still stages to go through before it becomes a workable area. All the slats of timber had to be cut to the exact brick size of 200mm x 70mm for the brick-slip look.�

“I really try to use my imagination to set up fun and valuable projects that young people will buy into. I know myself how much more enjoyable it is to complete a project you can visualise.�

“I want them to stay committed and see the project through, even with all the ups and downs that come with being a teenager figuring out their path. Hopefully they’ll learn a bigger life lesson and prove to themselves that they can finish what they start – even if life gets complicated.�

91¶¶Òõ is striving to become more environmentally conscious and The Skills Academy has a dedicated Green Skills and Sustainability Instructor. Recycling materials in our lessons is one way we incorporate sustainability.

Through practical projects and a commitment to sustainable practices, these young people are not only building their skills but also shaping a brighter future for themselves and the community.