Ayrshire College students are gaining vital employment skills and showcasing their artistic talents through a new partnership with YMCA Kilmarnock, celebrated at a launch event last week.
A hospitality work experience programme has been created for Ayrshire College’s Routes to Careers supported learning students at YMCA Kilmarnock’s Community Cafe. Last Friday (4 April) also saw the unveiling of a photography exhibition on the recently opened Cafe walls, offering a new take on Kilmarnock from the perspective of Ayrshire College’s Connect to Careers supported learning students.
Shona Howat, Curriculum Quality Manager for Supported Learning, HIVE and ESOL, explained that it can be challenging to find employers that will provide opportunities for students with additional support needs.
“Our Routes to Careers supported learning students are nearing the end of their time at college, and we want to give them the best experiences possible. We spoke with Taylor and Hayley at YMCA Kilmarnock, and they couldn’t have been more supportive. This newly established programme with YMCA Kilmarnock has been fully collaborative from our early discussions and it is giving students a chance to prove their worth in a work setting. The feedback from our students has been so positive.”
The students will gain practical experience in everything from barista training to baking, food preparation, customer service and kitchen portering. There is an opportunity for students to enhance their skills by volunteering for additional hours in the café too. Community Cafe Manager Hayley Brown, who has created visual instructions on food preparation and hygiene measures, will also help young people to write their CV and prepare for interviews.
Taylor Smith, Youth Work and Community Development Manager at Kilmarnock YMCA, said: “Our Community Cafe has been designed by Hayley to be a place where everyone is welcome and where young people can gain real-world skills and build up their confidence. Our hope is that it shows employers that there are lots of people who are keen and able to work but maybe just need a slightly different approach.”
“Let’s provide a better narrative about our young people. Let’s give them a sense of accomplishment and enable them to gain those valuable skills that they can give back to our community.”
