First Class Concepts Supports Glasgow School Jobs Scheme

Sept. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Glasgow-based direct marketing company First Class Concepts were both impressed and supportive when they found out about the ground-breaking scheme by John Paul Academy in Summerston. The school has put together a programme to help students get real experience of jobs so they have the basic skills that employers look for when they leave school. The school has linked up with local business owners and tutors from Clydebank College to provide expert knowledge to the students and early signs suggest that it is already a great success.

Every pupil aged 14 to 15 will take part in their Wider Achievement programme which is now a compulsory part of the timetable. Head Teacher of John Paul Academy, Vincent Docherty said, “The new Curriculum of Excellence is all about skill development, deep learning and preparation for the world of work. For our pupils, it's not only through academic opportunities that they have the best chances to find long-term and sustainable jobs for the future.” First Class Concepts understands that the Glasgow school has specially built facilities including a hair and beauty salon, car mechanic workshop, DIY classes and a football academy.


A spokesperson for First Class Concepts thinks that individual schemes like these are to be encouraged. “The government has a lot of these kind of plans in their agenda but they are too tied down with red tape to roll out the plans fast enough. We’ve repeatedly reported on the difficulties faced by young people entering the job market and the main complaint from companies and businesses is that young people simply don’t have the basic skills they need to do the job properly. John Paul Academy is being proactive and are helping their students get around this problem.”

First Class Concepts offers some entry level positions for their direct sales and marketing campaigns and they’re in great demand. “A lot of school leavers and even university graduates don’t have the  experience that is needed to progress into higher positions. Entry-level jobs are their only way to get on the career ladder. However the demand far outstrips the supply for these kinds of opportunities.”

“At First Class Concepts we’re incredibly impressed that Glasgow schools are leading the way in preparing students for the working world. We’re confident that this proactive thinking will help keep students in our local area ahead of the game nationally and create a well-rounded, skilled workforce which will benefit the city as well.”