THE region’s Project Search Award is helping youngsters bridge the gap to employment.
Coordinated by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Employability and Skills Service, in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College and local employers, Project Search supports young people with additional support needs to employment.
With 77 per cent of people ending up in a positive outcome for the academic year 2022/23, the team were presented with an award at the DFN Project Search Gala, which will now have pride of place at The Bridge in Dumfries to inspire future generations.
One hard-working intern from the award-winning year, Jamie Jardine, spoke of his experience as he found work with Marchbank’s Bakers thanks to Project Search.
The 23-year-old said: “I wanted to do something different as I’d spent so much time doing nothing. This wasn’t too overwhelming for me and being able to have a learning experience then getting a job at the end of it was great.
“I’ve always found it hard to speak to people in social situations but you get to see more people, talk to more people and it builds up your confidence.”
Gillian Brydson, the council’s executive director for education, skills and community wellbeing, said: “We have young people within Project Search who are immensely talented. The programme allows them to find a positive destination and I am grateful to partners across the sectors for their continued support in delivering the programme.
“Project Search has shown itself to be a diverse and effective pathway for employees and employers alike and long may this continue.”
Phil Storrier, from Dumfries and Galloway College, added: “As the educational partner in the project, we love working with the employability partners to find the right opportunities.
“It’s all about individual learning plans, putting people on the right pathways and this is a great example of effective partnership working.
“A lot of people can be left behind because they don’t know where they want to go or what they want to do and talking to Jamie and other students, it’s purely about building confidence.”
