Latest news with #PoweringFuturesChallengeProgramme
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire school pupils honoured at inaugural Ken Muir Awards
Young achievers recognised for personal development beyond academic success. Five pupils from Lanarkshire have been recognised for their exceptional personal growth, resilience and workplace readiness as recipients of the first-ever Ken Muir Award for Exceptional Achievement – an award which celebrates the skills and attributes that go beyond exam results. Jenny Renfrew, Dylan McManus, Owen Leitch, Eva McGowan and Kieran Smith, all S5 and S6 pupils from Cathkin High School, Greenfaulds High School, Lanark Grammar, St John Ogilvie High School and Strathaven Academy, were among 86 recipients from across Scotland of the inaugural Ken Muir Award. All recipients had successfully completed the Powering Futures Challenge Programme - a nationally-delivered course equivalent to a Higher, which supports senior-level pupils in becoming workplace ready. While over 1000 pupils nationally earned a formal SCQF Level-6 qualification through the process, the Lanarkshire award winners impressed their teachers with their personal development throughout the programme - with winners recognised for growing in confidence, strengthening their teamwork and communication skills, and taking meaningful steps towards their future careers. Professor Ken Muir - after whom the awards are named - has played a key role in advising the Scottish Government on the future of Scottish education. As a key contributor to the 2023 report It's Our Future - Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment, Professor Muir has called for reforms to Scotland's system of education to better prepare learners for the world of work. Professor Muir said: 'We need a culture shift in Scotland's education system. Of course, grades are important - but so is working hard, reflecting on progress, and growing as a person. These awards are symbolic of this shift. They celebrate personal development, resilience, communication, and teamwork. These are all critical attributes that help young people thrive in life and in work.' The Powering Futures Schools Programme, now in its fourth year, sees pupils tackle real-life business and industry challenges in teams, developing vital meta-skills while building links with employers. Jennifer Tempany, co-founder of Powering Futures, said: 'These awards highlight the often-overlooked achievements that sit beyond academic results, but which can inspire confidence and purpose in young people as they go into the world of work. We are proud to play our part in helping young people see their potential, and congratulate every recipient, including those from Lanarkshire, for their well-earned achievement.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How small firms in Scotland can now find people to power up potential
The social enterprise is partnering with The Herald for SB1000, a national campaign which aims to celebrate small businesses, and help them grow as they support the next generation of talent. 'This is a critical moment for small businesses in Scotland because the environment is changing so rapidly, you need to be agile and adaptive,' explains Mr Walker. 'We need a national campaign to help young people realise opportunities, not just in the big industrial powerhouses, who we work with every day, but in the lifeblood of the economy - the small businesses. 'We know that it can be hard to attract talent when you don't have the same resources as bigger competitors.' He adds: 'That's where SB1000 comes in.' Open to companies with fewer than 50 employees, SB1000 provides members with the chance to gain national exposure through The Herald and connect with major industry leaders. Membership costs £1000 and includes exclusive benefits and opportunities. Mr Walker explains: 'The money raised helps to fund our schools programme, in every part of the country, generating incredible social value and community benefit. 'At the same time, we are raising awareness of the opportunities there are to come and work for your business. 'If we can get someone with the right attitude to your company, we know you can teach them to do the job. 'For a small business, finding the right people and keeping them is essential and that's where our programmes come in. It's about powering the future of your business, as you're powering the future of Scotland's young people.' Ava McFeat-Marjoribanks and Aiden Naweed are in sixth year at St Mungo's High School in Falkirk, where they participated in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme. This SCQF Level 6 qualification aims to help students develop 'meta-skills' – such as communication, teamwork and critical thinking - by setting them significant challenges posed by real businesses. For Ava, it was an 'eye-opener', she says. 'It's definitely made me really think differently about what I want to do when I leave school,' she says. 'You don't really think about small businesses when you're talking about careers, but this has opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist. 'It's also helped me become more confident. I wasn't a very talkative person, especially in large groups of people but now I am and that's helped me in my part-time job and in life in general.' (Image: FutureX co-founder Bruce Walker is now an advisor with Powering Futures) Ava, who is hoping to work in marketing, adds: 'It was exciting to work with a real business, because we knew what we were doing was tackling a real world problem, so it felt like we were actually achieving something.' Aiden agrees. 'Powering Futures has made me think more about what opportunities exist for me in business,' he says. 'It gave me confidence, and it really helped me with problem-solving, which helped me in my other courses and classes too.' He adds: 'I think it would be exciting to work for a small business, because you're new, but sometimes so are they, and you can build things together.' SB1000 is an important 'next step' for Powering Futures, says its co-founder Jennifer Tempany. 'Powering Futures exists to help develop the workforce of the future for the jobs of the future,' she explains. 'We work with young people across the entire country, in schools, leaving college or university, and in the workplace, and the programmes we deliver are helping uncover talent and make sure the right people are getting into the right jobs.' She adds: 'We have been working with a range of companies across Scotland for five years, and we want to build on that success by reaching out to small businesses so they can have the same opportunities to attract, develop and retain talent. 'Both small businesses and schools are at the heart of their communities. We want to help connect them through SB1000, so young people can thrive, and those businesses can thrive.' With more than one million monthly readers across Scotland, The Herald is one of the country's most trusted and influential news platforms. David Ward, managing director of Newsquest Scotland, owners of The Herald, said: 'The Herald has a part to play, not just in holding politics and business to account, but also in inspiring the next generation into entrepreneurship, exciting innovation and creativity in business. 'SB1000 is a new way of bringing education and business closer together and it is a great opportunity for small businesses, anywhere in Scotland, or to use our platforms to tell their stories, to help everyone understand the challenges they face and to attract new talent across the country.' Find out more about SB1000 at
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pupils recognised for achievements beyond grades
The students from across Glasgow have been honoured with the inaugural Ken Muir Award for Exceptional Achievement. This award celebrates personal growth, resilience, and workplace readiness, highlighting the value of skills that extend beyond exams. Dominic Rogers, William Brand Armstrong, Adam Marchbank, Greta Fraser, Euan Ward, Mark Vassie, Sarthak Gupta, and MacKenzie Carss were among 86 recipients across Scotland. Read more: Glasgow pupils save 12kg of food waste per day in new school pilot Professor Ken Muir with Dominic Rogers from Bishopbriggs Academy (Image: Supplied) The students are all S5 and S6 pupils from Bishopbriggs Academy, Drumchapel High School, Eastbank Academy, Hillhead High School, Jordanhill School, King's Park Secondary School, and Shawlands Academy. Eilidh Richmond, a teacher at Shawlands Academy, said: "We're incredibly proud of our pupils for receiving the Ken Muir Award. "What's been most rewarding isn't just seeing them earn a qualification, but witnessing the confidence, maturity, and resilience they've developed along the way. "They've learned to communicate more effectively, work collaboratively under pressure, and reflect meaningfully on their own growth. "These are life skills that will stay with them far beyond school and into the world of work. "This recognition is truly well deserved." Professor Ken Muir with MacKenzie Carss from Shawlands Academy (Image: Supplied) The award is named in honour of Professor Ken Muir, a key advisor to the Scottish Government on education reform and a contributor to the 2023 report It's Our Future – Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment. He has called for reforms to Scotland's education system to better prepare students for the future. Professor Muir said: "We need a culture shift in Scotland's education system. "Of course, grades are important – but so is working hard, reflecting on progress, and growing as a person. "These awards are symbolic of this shift. "They celebrate personal development, resilience, communication, and teamwork. "These are all critical attributes that help young people thrive in life and in work." Read more: MSPs pass legislation to abolish Scotland's exams body All award recipients completed the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, a nationally delivered course equivalent to a Higher qualification focused on preparing senior pupils for the workplace. More than 1000 pupils across Scotland earned an SCQF Level 6 qualification through the programme. However, the award winners stood out for their exceptional personal development, including growth in confidence, teamwork, and communication skills. Now in its fourth year, the Powering Futures Schools Programme challenges pupils to tackle real-life business and industry problems in teams, in order to develop essential meta-skills while building valuable connections with employers. Jennifer Tempany, co-founder of Powering Futures, said: "These awards highlight the often-overlooked achievements that sit beyond academic results, but which can inspire confidence and purpose in young people as they go into the world of work. "We are proud to play our part in helping young people see their potential, and congratulate every recipient, including those from Glasgow, for their well-earned achievement."
