Turning the focus on transferable skills
BRECHIN'S Learning Centre is not a throwback to the 1970s, but rather a way of focusing on transferable skills which will set its students up for life, according to the head teacher of Brechin High School.
Steve Dempsey gave a presentation on the learning centre to the Brechin and Area Partnership annual general meeting, alongside the college's administrator, Sheila MacGregor.
In it, Mr Dempsey outlined the changes which have occurred within high school curriculum in the past 35 years and highlighted the flexibility which now exists within the school system, something which he feels Brechin High's partnership with the learning centre has implemented particularly well.
He also spoke of the "excellent relationships and links" which have been established with local business, Forster Roofing, where pupils spend time each week carrying out practical work, and his desire the extend that to take in both local nurseries and develop skills in the rural sector at Dalhousie Estates.
"Our purpose isn't churning out so many pupils for a specific trade, what we are about is giving transferable skills," Mr Dempsey explained.
"What employers are looking for is not how straight the youngsters can build a wall, but more things like will they turn up on time, are the good at taking instructions and advice, will the keep the workplace tidy, etc.
"This is also about keeping the kids in Brechin and not having to ship them off to Arbroath. Yes, the courses are delivered by college staff because they have the expertise, but they are Brechin High School courses and I think that is very important.
"We have had a good response from pupils. They like it and they like the teaching they get from a college lecturer."
Mr Dempsey was also keen to stress that the courses are there for the kids to choose what they want to do, and not based on any stereotypes or traditional roles.
"It's not about labelling kid. There is not selection from us, the kids choose on the basis of what they want to do," he said.
"They could be capable of achieving five credit passes, three highers and then heading off to university, but what's wrong with wanting to do practical work?
"From an employability point of view, people don't stay in the same job for 40 years now. What we are doing is giving the kids transferable skills for jobs that don't even exist yet."
Sheila MacGregor, added in her own presentation: "The vision behind the venture is to meet the needs of the community and encourage as many people as possible to attend the learning centre.
"Pupils come in for nine-week blocks for each subject.
"There is a TV in the 'pod' area which has feedback on it from the excellent HMI report that we recently received, and it also carries information about any upcoming courses that we would like the pupils to enrol on.
"We have helped the folks that have been made redundant from the Matrix by giving them advice on how to write CVs and apply for jobs, as well as support for accessing funds which might otherwise be difficult to get, and improving their ICT skills.
"We want this to be a success for the college and the school but, more than that, we want it to be a success for Brechiners.
"We need to be pro-active and let folk know what's on offer. We can be flexible with classes and what we do is offer classes whenever there is a need for them."
Partnership convener, Jim Milne, said: "The learning centre has bridged the gap. Youngsters are now more confident about going up to the college full time next year. It has taken away the fear of going to Arbroath."
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Weather for Brechin
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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