Young people from Smithycroft Secondary had the opportunity to engage with the construction industry at an event held at University of Strathclyde on 16 May 2018. S3 students presented plans for a dream house, drawn up in French, to a panel of experts. The challenge demonstrated the relevance of language skills in a work context and aimed to encourage pupils to continue with their language studies into the senior phase of their secondary education. Through partnership working with a local business, pupils had a chance to develop their understanding about the world of work and gain meaningful employability skills.
The panel of experts included Derek Hill, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Architecture at the University of Strathclyde, Elizabeth Norton, Development Officer for Italian and Latin at Glasgow City Council, Matt Hodgman, Depute Head from Smithycroft Secondary and Janette Kelso from Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT).
A teacher attending the event said: “This was a fantastic project and showcase event for our pupils - for many it was their first time in a university environment. It has made our learners think more deeply about the importance of language learning and the possibilities and opportunities it may open up to them in the future.”
One of the young people added to this, and commented: “Presenting in front of others was scary but once we got started we really enjoyed it – we were surprised how well we did! It made me think a lot more about using French with another subject or in another type of job.”
The event was organised by Smithycroft Secondary’s Modern Languages Department with support from SCILT, working in partnership with local business Dreamstones.
Fhiona Fisher, Director of SCILT said: “Projects such as these are a really important way of providing young people with high quality careers advice delivered by the business people themselves and of demonstrating to them the value of language skills in our increasingly globalised world”.
Meaningful employer engagement and providing relevant careers advice are both key recommendations of Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, “Developing the young workforce”. This business engagement event supported these aims by giving young people the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the role of languages in the business world.
This collaboration between schools and businesses supported Scotland’s International Policy to equip young people with international communication and employability skills that they will need in our increasingly globalised society and economy.
