Career Ready programme

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are writing to inform you about a fantastic programme that your child has the opportunity to apply for called Career Ready.

Career Ready is a national charity that links S5 students with employers, providing key opportunities to gain the skills, knowledge, attitudes and networks they need to succeed in the world of work and in their future career.  By connecting them to a network of businesses, from large multinationals to smaller local companies, it aims to help them develop the skills and attributes employers look for as well as open doors to jobs and careers they may never have considered before. Career Ready offers them a wealth of opportunities and gives them the confidence and ambition to pursue them.

The two year programme includes:

• Mentoring from someone in the world of work who can give them a different viewpoint to their friends, parents/guardians and teachers.
• Masterclasses to help them develop key skills and knowledge to support their future and that employers tell us they look for in new recruits.
• A paid summer internship where they can put the skills they are learning into practice, find out what work is really all about and make a valuable contribution to an organisation.
• Workplace visits where they find out more about organisations and what they do, helping them to think outside the box about their future career plans.
• Networking to meet influential employers - people that they can ask for advice, help and information - and learn from other students.

To apply, they need to be:

• In S5, sitting at least one, and likely two or three, highers.
• Willing to commit to the programme on top of their studies.
• Available and eligible to complete the paid internship in their summer holiday between S5 and S6.
• Willing to take advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

• Aware that the mentor they are matched to is about access to experience of the world of work, whatever industry their mentor comes from.

Recruitment at Bathgate Academy for this programme will take place during the month of June, key dates are:

Fri 8^th June - presentation to eligible pupils, periods 2 and 3 in the Conference Room

Mon 11^th June - presentation to parents 6.30-7.30pm at Bathgate Academy

Mon 11^th June - Wed 13^th June - in school application support (with Miss Scott, Career Ready Coordinator)

Thus 14^th June - application deadline

Tue 19^th June and Wed 20^th June - interviews at Bathgate Academy

More information will be given to your child on 8^th June and we look forward to seeing you at the Parent presentation on Monday 11^th June.  Should you have any queries regarding this or would like to discuss anything further please contact Miss Scott by phoning the school office.