Pupils join the career jet set

Published on Monday 4 February 2008 08:14

A scheme to give Edinburgh pupils industry training in addition to their lessons is to be doubled in size next year. NICK JURY speaks to three fourth-year pupils from Craigmount.

Arif Ahmed, 15

Standing in the kitchen of Martin Wishart's restaurant on the Shore, Arif Ahmed looks every inch the sous chef. If it wasn't for the fact that he was mixing vegetables under the watchful eye of the restaurant's chef de partie, Jeff Capeda, you'd be forgiven for thinking he was an old hand in the food business.

The teenager is one of 70 Edinburgh pupils working nine-to-five as part of the pioneering Job Education Training (JET) scheme, which aims to help youngsters take their first step on the employment ladder while still at school.

Arif from East Craigs, is inspired by the likes of Gordon Ramsay, and has decided to embark on a career as a chef when he leaves school in May.

The teenage apprentice is lucky enough to be being taught by Michelin star chef Martin Wishart during his placement.

Arif says: "It can be very hectic in the kitchen. I do a Friday from 9.30am to about 3.30 or 4pm depending on how busy we are.

I've learned a lot from chef Wishart and everyone on how things are done in the kitchen. I've even worked on the presentation of the different dishes. At home I make my family a lot of fish but I think my speciality is doing deserts. I want to get into Telford College after May. And then one day have two Michelin stars and my own restaurant."

Already he has impressed Martin Wishart.

Chef Wishart, who himself left school at 15 to become an apprentice chef says: "For most people coming in to a kitchen as a new chef trained to work can be a daunting experience but Arif has impressed me a great deal. He knows his ingredients and he listens to advice and that is a good quality. Kitchens don't normally have someone working in them as young as Arif but when he's finished his time here, I'm going to sit down with him and talk about the pros and cons of going into catering college. Sometimes, the best training is on the ground, rather than in college. He certainly has a future as a chef."

Danielle Lewis, 15

Danielle, from South Gyle, has been getting work experience on the frontline of the NHS as a receptionist and administrator at the Western General Hospital's Minor Injury's Unit, every Friday.

She says she enrolled on the JET project to give her something to fall back on if her dream of being a professional dancer does not work out.

One of Danielle's tasks at the hospital is to make sure patients' records are kept up to date and are transferred to the wards on time. Working alongside a regular receptionist she also checks in patients to the unit and liaises with the ambulance service.

Danielle adds: "My ambition is to go the Stockbridge School of Dance and become a professional dancer but I know it's a difficult thing to get into. You have to work at it and I know a lot of people don't make it or are not dancing for long gaps at a time, so its important to have something to fall back on.

"That's why I think doing the JET programme is important. I've learned how things work in a hospital and know about emergency calls and how to respond to them and know about how the Data Protection Act works now. I have to deal with people coming into the unit for all kinds of things. Some of them are stroppy but we are told how to deal with that.

"If I hadn't being doing the JET project I would never have known these things I do now. I know it's all going to help me in the future."

Scott McLaren, 15

Scott, of Parkhead, uses his love of tropical fish and reptiles to help customers at the Aquatic Room on Leith Walk.

Scott said: "I kept tropical fish at home for a long time and know a lot about them. Part of what I get to do is helping people who might not know much about tropical fish choose the right ones for them. Before I started my work experience I didn't feel very confident but the JET project has helped me learn things like interview techniques, working with people and what to do if a customer is unhappy with something."

Craigmount High's headteacher Dr John Campbell, explains why he thinks programmes such as JET are vital in teaching.

"I would say that we have grown up with an idea of what school is and what it should be. There's a certain framework and that is fine because it does work for some pupils, but not all of them. We are here to encourage our youngsters in achieving their full potential in life. The JET programme plays a key role in helping our youngsters meet their goals."

IT'S AN EXPERIENCE

THE 70 Edinburgh pupils are being given a taste of employment working nine-to-five as apprentices thanks to a pioneering scheme. The Jobs Education and Training (JET) programme aims to encourage youngsters from the age of 15 to 16 go on work experience, offering them vocational training alongside their regular schooling.

Susan Milne, of the South Edinburgh Partnership, who is behind the scheme. She says: "Schools face a number of challenges to engage and motivate pupils. JET is all about giving them more chances and opportunities in life after leaving school by giving them the opportunity of experiencing work placement in something they are interested in."

Since last August, eight Edinburgh secondary schools have been involved in the project, with another eight new ones signing up for the JET scheme starting after the summer holidays for the 2008-09 school year.

Employers include NHS Lothian, Edinburgh Leisure, the city council, Debenhams, Sainsbury's and Michelin star chef, Martin Wishart.

Depending on how well the 15-year-old pupils impress the organisations they are placed with, they could at the end of the year be given an apprenticeship which could lead to a permanent job.