A young person from Renfrewshire has taken steps towards a career in catering and hospitality through the Future Ready employability programme.
The programme is delivered by Kibble’s Skills Academy and funded by the Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership. It helps young people gain skills and work experience that can lead to employment.
Ten young people have taken part so far. They are referred to the academy through Invest in Renfrewshire.
One participant, Chelsea, has been studying Catering and Hospitality at The Skills Academy. While training in the academy kitchen she learned the basics of working in a professional kitchen. This included preparing healthy meals, understanding food hygiene standards and cooking meals from scratch.
Chelsea also joined Kibble’s catering team while they were working at St Mirren Football Club’s training complex in Ralston. There she worked alongside chefs and cooks preparing meals for the first team squad and youth players.
Chelsea said: “Before starting Future Ready, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but working in the kitchen at The Skills Academy helped me realise how much I enjoy catering. Learning how a professional kitchen works and then getting the chance to cook at St Mirren has been amazing. It’s made me feel more confident in myself and excited about working in this industry in the future.”
As part of the programme, Chelsea will also complete a final week-long work placement at the club’s training complex. This includes travelling independently to gain a realistic experience of working in the industry.
Mark Macmillan, Director at Kibble, said: “Kibble’s partnership with St Mirren exists for young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to enter the working world. Young learners attend lessons at our education and training centre and complete real-life work experience within a busy, thriving football club because of us joining forces.
“Building on our shared vision of tackling youth employment, the Future Ready Employability Programme was designed to help even more local young people. It has been fantastic to see youngsters transform genuine interests into viable career opportunities.”
Keith Lasley, Chief Operating Officer at St Mirren Football Club, said: “St Mirren Football Club wants the entire community to thrive. Our aim is to be the best community-centred football club in Scotland and the partnership with Kibble means big steps can be taken to tackle youth employment across Renfrewshire.
“We’ve welcomed young people into our catering team and their energy and enthusiasm has added real value to our hospitality operations, helping to fuel players and fans while motivating our wider team, knowing we are all working towards a bigger picture. The involvement with Kibble and the Future Ready project funded by Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership has added a strong altruistic element to the way we work and is in line with our pillars of Paisley, People and Performance.”
Future Ready is delivered by The Skills Academy, Kibble’s education and training centre. It supports young people who have struggled in mainstream education by offering vocational learning, qualifications and work experience.
The programme works with partners including St Mirren Football Club, Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership and Invest in Renfrewshire to link education with real workplace opportunities.
Photo: Chelsea preparing meals in the kitchen at Kibble’s Skills Academy and during her catering work experience with St Mirren Football Club
Photo Credit: Kibble
Photo: Chelsea with St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara at the club’s training complex in Ralston.
Photo Credit: Kibble