Young People Helped to be Career Ready

Dundee City Council has again supported the Career Ready initiative by giving young people paid internships to let them see the potential work opportunities in a local authority.

Over four weeks this summer, nine senior secondary pupils experienced different aspects of services during their internships across council and health and social care partnership teams.

The young people are benefiting from one-to-one support and guidance from a volunteer council mentor over the 18-month total period of the programme.

In addition to the work experience itself the students benefited from their involvement in several other joint activities. They demonstrated real teamwork to help reorganise the donation point at the premises of Dundee Starter Packs. Chairman Ron Jack was delighted with the transformation. The students also gained certification after attending a life-saving training course provided by Heartstart Discovery.

The young people also accompanied city centre ambassadors to see their work behind the scenes and were also given a tour of the City Chambers and met the Lord Provost.

Young people taking part in 2024 are:

Aizah (Harris Academy) is considering a career in Medicine when she leaves school. Her internship was based with the Learning Disabilities Team. A placement was organised the White Top Centre and two other local facilities where she got involved with the support of adults with additional needs and learning difficulties.

Anees (Morgan Academy) is being mentored in the Strategy & Performance team, Dundee Health & Social Care Partnership. He, too, is keen on a career in Medicine and also participated in an internship with the Learning Disabilities Team.

Ava (Braeview Academy) is another student who is interested in pursuing a career in Medicine. The Learning Disabilities Team once again was the host for Ava’s internship. Ava now feels far more confident in her abilities, especially when it comes to communicating with others.

Kerys (St John’s RC High School) would like to pursue a career in childcare, and undertook an internship at Downfield Early Years Centre. She supported the team to look after the children and planned and organised her own activity which she carried out with the children.

Libbie (Braeview Academy) has expressed an interest in a career in radiotherapy. Through the Career Ready scheme, she was able to spend a day at the Radiotherapy department at Ninewells to learn more about the roles in the department and her career options. To develop a wider understanding of the cancer care journey she undertook a project to design a learning resource for her peers.

Molly (Braeview Academy) has a passion for caring for animals and intends to apply for veterinary college when she leaves school. A placement with the Learning Disabilities team allowed her to improve her communication skills, working with the supported people and the team around her.

Murron (Braeview Academy), is hoping to follow a career in sports coaching. She participated in an internship with Leisure and Culture Dundee where she assisted with the coaching of young people taking part in various summer activity programmes; Football Camp at DISC, Sport N Splash Camp at St Paul’s and Gymnastics Camp at McTaggart Centre.

Ryley (St Paul’s RC Academy) has an interest in criminology and is keen to explore a career in police services. He got the opportunity to go out “on patrol” with members of the Community Safety team where he gained an understanding of various issues in local areas and the steps required to address these. He also spent some time with the Anti-social behaviour team and partners Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and the Safety and Alarm Response team.

Sam (Grove Academy) is keen to join the RAF as an aircraft technician. His placement with the council’s mechanical and electrical engineers has helped him to explore some other potential careers. He feels the experience has helped him to have a better understanding of the importance of teamwork in a workplace setting,

Children, families and communities convener Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “As an employer trying to encourage opportunities for young people, it is important that the council supports the Career Ready initiative.

“This gives them invaluable insights into the work of the council, lets them understand what qualifications they will need and arms them with skills that will help in writing CVs and for interviews.

“I wish them all well for their future and hope that their time being mentored in the council will inspire them to achieve their goals.”

More details on the work of the Career Ready charity and paid internships are available on the Career Ready website.

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