Commending Bothwell Futures and Developing the Young Workforce's Employability Programme

That the Parliament commends Bothwell Futures and Developing the Young Workforce for the inspiring success of its pilot Employability Programme; understands that the programme set out to support pupils aged 16 and over from Uddingston Grammar and Holy Cross High School who had disengaged from education or faced an uncertain path beyond school; believes that this programme played a vital and life-changing role in helping them unlock their potential and build brighter futures; recognises what it sees as the importance and impact of the programme’s core values, which saw pupils engage in workshops beyond the classroom, gaining real world, hands-on experience of the world of work, while being supported to develop essential soft skills and explore the wide spectrum of opportunities available through both large and small employers; applauds the reach and success of the initiative, which, it understands, began with 40 pupils and concluded with 42 attending the final workshops, with additional pupils welcomed wherever possible; understands that early outcomes of the programme include young people enrolling in apprenticeships and registering interest in college places, securing employment and a notable increase in both schools reporting more positive attitudes among pupils towards personal development, education and the world of work; notes that the programme was made possible through a £20,000 grant from Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire via the UK Prosperity Fund to pioneer a fresh and meaningful approach to preparing 16-year-olds for the world of work; looks forward to seeing this transformative programme continue to grow; believes its expansion will bring lasting and invaluable benefits by equipping Scotland’s young people with the confidence, skills and opportunities that they need to thrive, and wholeheartedly applauds every pupil involved for their courage, commitment and dedication in working towards this achievement.