A new event giving primary 5 pupils from across East Lothian the chance to experience the world of work and skills has launched today at Queen Margaret University.
The activities will give our primary 5 pupils a great insight into so many careers and the skills needed for them.
A new event giving primary 5 pupils from across East Lothian the chance to experience the world of work and skills launched today (29 May) at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Musselburgh.
Jobs Kingdom Live is the first event of its kind in Scotland. Over two days, East Lothian’s primary 5 pupils will have the chance to try out three ‘jobs’ from a diverse range of industries. The activities will raise awareness of a variety of different jobs, get children thinking about their own skills and those required in the workplace, and encourage group work. The children will also receive credits for their work which they can exchange for a Jobs Kingdom Live goodie bag. The event has been made possible through generous sponsorship from Santander Universities, Morrison Construction and Canon.
Around 30 industry exhibitors will provide hands-on experiences showcasing the world of work and the diversity of jobs that exist. Exhibitors include:
• Archaeology Scotland will lead a dig and children can explore, classify and sort historic finds
• Charles River, Venesky Brown and Leonardo will lead children through practical STEM activities
• Police Scotland will create a crime scene with role play around the tasks that would be required
• NHS Lothian will hold practical sessions giving an insight into the work of a nurse
• Edinburgh College is offering a range of hands-on sessions covering commerce, hospitality and event management, broadcast media skills, technical theatre, acting and special effects make-up
• Morrison Construction and Hart Builders will lead construction-themed activities
• Dynamic Earth and Astrostat will explore careers in space.
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet member for Education, Councillor Shamin Akhtar, said: “Jobs Kingdom Live is part of our commitment to offering children and young people in our schools innovative opportunities to engage with the world of work, while also developing the workforce of the future. The activities will give our primary 5 pupils a great insight into so many careers and the skills needed for them.
“We are grateful to all of the partners involved in creating and launching Jobs Kingdom Live.”
Callum Maguire, Head of Outreach and Community Engagement at QMU, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming children from across East Lothian to our campus in Musselburgh for two jam-packed days of exploration and skills development. At QMU, we’re passionate about ensuring that children are given opportunities like this to see for themselves what’s on offer in the world of work, and to have these early interactions with industry experts to give them every advantage in choosing a career path.”
Edinburgh College DYW Strategic Lead Deborah Robertson said: “We’re very proud to be a part of the Jobs Kingdom Live partnership which will give pupils an insight into a wide range of careers from an early age as well as demonstrating the skills and attributes they require in order to give them the best possible start to whichever career path they may decide to follow.
“Our diverse course offering and reach across Edinburgh and the Lothians means that the College is ideally-placed to highlight to pupils the opportunities available to them in our region and beyond.
“We’re looking forward to working alongside the East Lothian pupils at QMU and to hopefully have a part to play in their educational and career development.”
Jobs Kingdom Live is a partnership between East Lothian Council’s employability service, East Lothian Works, Developing the Young Workforce Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian, Edinburgh College, Queen Margaret University and Napier University.