Young Person’s Guarantee Scheme – changing lives for the better

A Council-supported development programme has significantly changed the lives of a group of young people in Orkney – opening up employment and further education opportunities.

As a direct result of the Community Learning and Development 12-week programme, four young people, aged between 16-24, have gone on to successful destinations – with two securing jobs, one a college placement and another being referred to an external agency.

In addition, the young people who took part have spoken of improved mental health, literacy and numeracy, confidence as well as gaining further qualifications.

CLD Team Leader Richard Smith explained what the programme is all about: “The CLD 12-week development programme is part of the overarching Young Persons’ Guarantee (YPG) Scheme.

“The Young Person Guarantee is aligned to the principles of ‘No-One Left Behind’, by providing flexible, user-based employability support and training to young people aged 16-24 years. The Young Person Guarantee is intended to provide opportunities, based on the young person’s own personal circumstances and ambitions, whether that be: going to university or college; joining an apprenticeship programme; undertaking training; accessing fair employment including work experience; or participating in a formal volunteering programme.”

The programme was designed to give young people activities to take part in to improve skills such as confidence, time keeping, problem solving and as a result wider employability skills.

The activities included boat building and saw the young people work with the Community Interest Company, The Archipelago Folkschool, which is a social enterprise focused on connecting people with craft. The young people participated in six sessions where they created a model scale boat from start to finish.

They also took part in The PX2 programme, which is designed to engage young people. It incorporates short video bursts, group activity discussion and personal reflection. The programme aims to build positive attitudes, habits and expectations, develop effective thinking skills and aspirations, equip the participant with the knowledge to change their thinking and generate motivation, efficacy and optimism.

The young folk also volunteered with a local community project at the Holm Walk near St Marys, where volunteers are improving public access to and around the Loch of Ayre to promote outdoor activity and an interest in heritage and wildlife. The group assisted with tree planting, landscaping, and painting bridges and tables.

A Youth Scotland programme called I-Lead Money aimed to help the young people make the most of their money, engaging them in talking openly about money and supplying information and resources to help them develop their own knowledge.

Also part of the programme was “Confidence to Cook” – with the aim of encouraging confidence in shopping, food prep and cookery skills towards a healthier diet.
Finally, they were able to benefit from sessions with staff at the Learning Link, who support people to improve their literacy and numeracy, as well as many other skills required to work and live. The young people learned skills required for running their own home, which they put to the test when they took part in an independent living challenge that consisted of running their own home for the day. They were also challenged to do a Dragon’s Den style pitch.

Richard said: “Near the end of the programme young people worked with Skills Development Scotland and OIC to develop their CV, interview and presentation skills and took part in mock interviews. OIC employability staff engaged with local employers and external agencies to find suitable progression routes for all those who took part.

“The programme would not have been possible without the support of the following partner originations: Skills Development Scotland, Developing The Young Workforce, CLD Youth Services, Tesco Community Champion, The Learning Link, The Friends of Ayre Walkway, Young Scot, The Archipelago Folkschool, Voluntary Action Orkney, Young Scot, Youth Link, Kyloe Partners, OIC HR, NHS Orkney, OIC Housing, Youth Scotland and the First Aid and Outdoor Instructors.”