14 February
West Calder High School Skill 2 Work

This vocational programme is focussed on learning for sustainability and the first project involved working with community partners at Polbeth HUB to refurbish the centre's main hall, toilets and hallways.

The group of pupils who took part worked extremely well together and all received glowing reports from the course tutor, Stevie Rae. The pupils will now be able to use this experience to gain SQA vocational qualifications.

One of the S4 pupils who took part commented: "It was great to be able to gain some real life experience and it felt good to be helping the community."

Over the coming weeks and months, West Calder High School will have a number of different vocational projects taking place which will enable young people to gain real life experience and qualifications whilst supporting the local community.

West Calder High School head teacher, Greg McDowall said: "Well done to everyone involved and massive thanks to Polbeth Community HUB and Akro Multihire in Livingston for donating all of the materials. The pupils demonstrated a tremendous work ethic and I hope that the experience will be positive for them moving forward. We want to give young people who wish to take forward a career in the trades sector the best chance of securing apprenticeships and jobs in the future and if any businesses or organisations wish to offer their support for our Skilled2Work programme then I would urge them to get in touch."

To learn more about the programme please contact: greg.mcdowall@westlothian.org.uk