School pupils from across Aberdeen were given a taste of different career options, as part of a widening access initiative delivered in partnership by Robert Gordon University (RGU) and North East Scotland College (NESCol).
The ‘Spotlight Day’ event brought 60 pupils from Northfield, Lochside and Harlaw Academies together to RGU and NESCol campuses to take part in activities designed to build an understanding of a range of subjects and career routes.
The event marked one year since RGU and NESCol established their TWO PLUS alliance. Strengthening their longstanding partnership, TWO PLUS engages with young learners in the region by working with schools which have lower progression into university.
TWO PLUS informs young learners about the different pathways into further and higher educations, as well as providing extensive support to ensure that they understand the career options available to them.
“Our partnership with NESCol is seen as one of the strongest university-college collaborations in the sector,” said professor John Harper, principal at RGU.
“Collaborating with NESCol through this joint event sees the two institutions come together to ensure young learners, who will soon be making their subject choices, are aware of all the study options and career paths available to them. This builds on RGU’s strong reputation of working closely with schools in the region to ensure that pupils, from all backgrounds, feel supported and informed as they progress in their education.”
Echoing similar sentiments Neil Cowie, vice principal at NESCol, also emphasised the importance of partnership working to increase the progression options available in the north-east of Scotland. He said: “The College has a long-established history of working well with others to deliver innovative and inclusive programmes which ultimately provide high quality, vocational and academic opportunities for pupils coming from our local schools.
“We are delighted that NESCol, in conjunction with our much-valued partner RGU, continues this great work through our TWO PLUS alliance. Such effective collaboration will support young people in our region to develop the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to progress in learning, life and work.”
During the Spotlight Day, tasks were designed to allow pupils to experience different practical elements of each subject in a realistic work-based environment. This included the building of a ‘geek clock’ that displayed the time through flashing lights in RGU’s technical engineering workshops, and a practical tour of the university’s health and wellbeing facilities, including the clinical skills centre and x-ray lab to find out about the role of allied health professionals. A panel session was also delivered by alumni and subject specialists from RGU and NESCol which answered all of the questions pupils had about continuing their education beyond school and getting ready for the workplace.
David Milne, principal teacher of Health and Wellbeing at Northfield Academy said: “The event allows pupils to see possibilities and different options they may not have thought about as career paths. It shows them how some of the subjects they are doing now link to their future which helps them to plan better. It also gives them a feel for the centres in which they will pursue these qualifications in the future.”
