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ABERDEEN COMPANY DRIVES PUPILS'
CAREER AMBITIONS
A Hazlehead
Academy pupil celebrated after being offered a four-year
apprenticeship with a leading city motor company.
Manor Oak Honda gave Sam Mitchell the opportunity to
become a vehicle technician through Honda’s official apprenticeship
programme after he excelled during a recent work placement.
Sam is one of 10 pupils at Hazlehead Academy who were
recognised in April 2008 at a presentation ceremony held by Manor
Oak Honda after they each successfully completed work placements as
part of the government’s Determined To Succeed initiative.
The youngsters gained an invaluable insight into the
motor industry by working at the Lang Stracht dealership where staff
helped put their careers on the road.
Each S4 pupil spent six days working at the
authorised Honda dealership, which specialises in providing new and
used vehicles, under the Determined To Succeed scheme which
aims to help Scotland’s young people develop self-confidence,
self-reliance and ambition to achieve their goals in work and in
life by developing links between schools and the business community.
Through the scheme, Manor Oak Honda partnered with
Hazlehead Academy by hosting the work placement programme, engaging
pupils in all areas of the motor industry from vehicle repair and
maintenance to sales and service as well as helping them to
understand how the industry operates.
The placements, which were spread over five months,
resulted in Sam being offered the apprenticeship at last night’s
prize-giving event where he was presented with a Certificate of
Excellence. The ceremony, which was held at the Manor Oak Honda
premises on Whitemyres Place, was attended by the pupils and their
parents. Aberdeen Councillor Jenniifer Stewart, who represents
Hazlehead, Ashley, and Queens Cross, presented the prizes.
Certificates were also presented to: Hayley Adams and
Robert Wiseman (Certificate of Merit); and Kyle Murphy, Rory Millar,
Jamie McLean, Iain Sutherland, Bruce Croll, Marcus Mace, and Greig
Deans (Certificate of Achievement).
Managing director of Manor Oak Honda, Allan McGuire,
said he was very encouraged by the commitment shown by all the
pupils: “The effort of these youngsters bodes well not only for the
future of the motor industry but the workforce of the next
generation as a whole. We are delighted to participate in the
Determined to Succeed scheme which gives the future working
generation an invaluable insight into industry while also
strengthening business links with schools.”
Mr McGuire congratulated all pupils on their success
and said he believes Sam’s success will act as “a real motivation
for pupils in the coming years”.
Deputy head of Hazlehead Academy, Campbell
Robertson, was delighted to see pupils of the school being rewarded
for their talents and achievements. He said: “Our school has been
very fortunate to work with Manor Oak Honda as part of the
Determined to Succeed scheme. I am pleased for all pupils who have
been given a fantastic head start in their careers through what they
have learned from the work experience. Sam has also been given an
exciting opportunity through the apprenticeship offer.”
Councillor Stewart said the partnership between Manor
Oak Honda and Hazlehead Academy is a great benefit to the community.
“I would like to see this partnership and others develop across the
city to give more school pupils the same opportunities. It is
important for pupils to be encouraged to pursue careers in
professional trades as much as academic education when they plan for
life after school. Key trades need to be sufficiently recognised as
part of the continued effort to sustain our economy.
“The Determined To Succeed initiative has proved
proactive in addressing these issues. This is demonstrated through
the Hazlehead Academy and Manor Oak Honda partnership which has
already benefited pupils, aspiring to careers in the motor industry,
in its first year. I wish it continued success.”
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