Britain’s leading bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has teamed up with the Falkirk FC Foundation to boost skills in the local community through the Falkirk Work Academy scheme.
Aimed at teenagers who face challenges in a traditional school setting, the scheme builds confidence, enhances life skills and increases qualification attainment through an Alternative School environment. ADL will offer motivational visits to its Falkirk factory and will provide coaching in building CVs and job interview techniques.
The partnership was launched on January 24th at St Mungo’s High School by Deputy Rector, Stuart McKay, Falkirk FC Foundation’s Community Coach, Chris McGill and ADL’s Group Marketing Director, Jacqueline Anderson. They were joined by the six St Mungo’s pupils participating in the scheme as well as by Falkirk Football Club players, Fraser Aird and Peter Grant, and ADL apprentices and graduate trainees.
It will be Graduate Trainee, Michael Pothan who will be the point of contact at ADL for the teenagers, who will be followed by six pupils from Larbert High School later in the year.
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive at ADL, welcomed the cooperation: “ADL is proud of its long standing manufacturing tradition here in Falkirk and we are delighted to invest in the local community by fostering the next generation through this exciting new scheme with the Falkirk Foundation.”
David Stewart, Community Manager at Falkirk FC Foundation, added: “Everyone at Falkirk Foundation is delighted to be working with Alexander Dennis on this innovative programme and we appreciate the support ADL is providing to the local community.
“By using football coaching sessions alongside interactive educational workshops, we will enhance participant’s transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication, all in the inspiring setting of a professional football club.”
Falkirk FC Foundation is the charity arm of Falkirk Football Club and provides its Alternative School environment within the Falkirk Stadium. The Falkirk FC Foundation is an integral part of the football club’s community operation. The Foundation allows the club to use their strong brand within the local area to help a wide variety of people, thus bring the club and community closer together. It is very much about the club putting back and providing a service that can enhance the local community.
Practical coaching for employability skills is undertaken through football activities played on the main pitch of The Falkirk Stadium. This is complemented by project-based activities and partnerships with local companies like ADL who offer pupils the opportunity to experience a real working environment.