At GUHS we currently offer pupils in the senior phase 3 options within the Skills for Work area:

• Travel & Tourism
• Hospitality
• Early Years Education & Childcare 

Each of these courses are practical in nature and are designed to develop employability skills in young people. Pupils time is divided between classroom learning and placements in the workplace. We have forged valuable partnerships with local business and organisations that allow our pupils to gain real work experience, public interaction in a safe and securely managed environment.
 
What are Skills for Work courses?

It has been recognised for some time that there is a need for vocational courses for young people in the 14-16 age group, which will give them the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills which will help to prepare them for the world of work.

Skills for Work Courses are different from other vocational provision because they focus on generic employability skills needed for success in the workplace. The courses offer opportunities for learners to acquire these critical generic employability skills through a variety of practical experiences that are linked to a particular vocational area such as construction, hairdressing, hospitality etc.

Skills for Work Courses help provide young people with good opportunities to develop their self-confidence. They also aim to provide a very positive learning experience. For many young people, an early chance to work on practical skills that relate directly to the world of work will provide real benefits to their overall educational programme

Young people taking one of these Skills for Work Courses will normally spend some of their time at a local college, other training provider or employer. This will mean learning in a different environment, meeting new people and facing new challenges.

The Courses are intended to provide progression pathways to further education, training and employment. Given the practical nature of the Courses, experiential learning in appropriate learning environments is an essential feature of each Course, although work placement is not essential.

All Skills for Work Courses have a common rationale.

Rationale for Skills for Work Courses

Skills for Work Courses are designed to help candidates to develop:

• skills and attitudes for employability
• positive attitudes to learning
• an understanding of the workplace
• skills and knowledge in a broad vocational area

Core Skills

The five Core Skills are:

• Communication
• Numeracy
• Information Technology
• Problem Solving
• Working with Others

Employability

The skills and attitudes for employability, including self-employment, are outlined below:

• generic skills/attitudes valued by employers

• understanding of the workplace and the employee's responsibilities, for example time-keeping, appearance & customer care

• self-evaluation skills

• positive attitude to learning

• flexible approaches to solving problems

• adaptability and positive attitude to change

• confidence to set goals, reflect and learn from experience

• specific vocational skills/knowledge.
  

A Curriculum for Excellence (Scottish Executive 2004) identifies aspirations for every young person. These are that they should become:

• successful learners
• confident individuals
• responsible citizens
• effective contributors

The learning environments, the focus on experiential learning and the opportunities to develop employability and Core Skills in these Courses contribute to meeting these aspirations.