Youth: Dynamic interviews and Drama!

It was a dynamic start to the Youth Academy as 2 of the team were attending interviews with Brian from Wates construction. Prior to going into the interview the 2 youths had the opportunity to discuss the experiences of the rest of the team who also had interviews earlier in the week. Some really valuable discussion took place around how people prepared themselves for interview, how to make a positive and lasting first impression and how to maximise opportunities following interview.

The Academy team were very supportive of each other and ensured that the guys were “in the zone” before interview and talked about the experience after the interview. As a group we looked at winning strategies, how we can build on this interview experience, what we learned about ourselves and what limits we place on ourselves that might stand in the way of being the best!

After the interviews, the team were treated to a visit to the Platform in Easterhouse to watch a performance of a drama production called “Blackout”. The Youth Academy team were introduced to James, the Events & Outreach manager at Platform, who told them some more about the production and also the type of work that he does.

Blackout is based on a true story and starts with a young person waking up in a prison cell and finding out he is being charged with attempted murder, then looks back at how he arrived at this moment in his life. It deals with a lot of issues that are present in the lives of lots of young people and demonstrates in a very realistic and honest way how the choices we make in life can dictate the kind of life we have. It was very powerful drama, delivering some very profound messages in an engaging manner.

After the performance, the Youth Academy spoke with James again and he provided further insight into some of the territorial issues that are present in Easterhouse and the impact this has on young people’s ability to do everyday things like getting a bus, which in turn minimises their opportunities for changing their lives. This discussion gave the team a few things to think about on the journey home, but not before they presented James with a gift to remember them by; in this case a very nice pen. The mini-bus was unusually quiet on the return journey, possibly due to members of the team thinking about choices made in the past and how different their choices are now that they have taken part in the Youth Academy.

Joe Wilson

Posted by Kate Sutherland on 25 April 2011 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Personal Enhancement, Training employability

10 Comments

Posted by Steven Hunter on 28 April 2011

Really pleased with the youth guys, the change in there attitudes is just amazing. The partnership and support has also been first class along side the quality work done by all at KDS. Special mention to Kate, well done girl. Stevie Hunter Training Manager

Posted by katie on 26 April 2011

Your life is your story, you decide the ending! At the start of this journey you didn''t believe this quote was true, now you are all living out the quote! Congratulations to all of you on how far you have come! Glad you all enjoyed the show and am very impressed with the feedback! K

Posted by Sarahjane Sarkhosh on 26 April 2011

Sounds like there were some hard-hitting messages taken from the day! Glad everyone learned a lot!

Posted by Lynsey Mackay on 26 April 2011

Well done Youth Academy! What a busy week you have all had, everyone is so proud of you all! But it doesn''t stop here, what''s next for you all?

Posted by Tommy on 26 April 2011

In the morning of the interviews there was a lot of going over notes that the team had researched on wates construction, everyone had their own ideas of what strategy to go with. I saw a great deal of teamwork between everyone that morning and was overwhelmed at the feed back i received from Brian from Wates at how the whole team came prepared and their knowledge of Wates Construction, even that all of the teams direction in life was all very positive. Well Done to the Youths today they have been part of the team on numerous occasions throughout training and again it was evident today Just how much they have grown....

Posted by June McDonald on 26 April 2011

Well this is a "Food for Thought" moment for many of the YP and a very worthwhile visit for all. Well done James for his informative talk about gangs and the impacts this can have on their lives and future.

Posted by Lorraine Hart on 26 April 2011

A great opportunity to obtain some interview experience and fantastic that the guys had the support of the team behind them. The performance of "Blackout" sounds like it gave the group lots to think about and reflect upon.

Posted by Edmund McKay on 26 April 2011

Its amaazing how participative theatre can get you to reflect on your own life. And nice to see that "training" doesnt necessarily have to be what we traditionaly view it to mean.

Posted by Michelle Lockard on 26 April 2011

Certainly reads like the Youth Academy were left with a lot to think about after the performance ''Blackout''. The youth candidates for interview certainly looked and played the part when they visited our Renfrewshire Care Academy who all also agreed they would give them the job. Well Done Team Youth.

Posted by stephen kidd on 25 April 2011

thanks to james and platform, as we enter into end of a chapter and yes its only a chapter, what will the new chapter title be," each one of the youths will have own title, but secret is you are capable of making it any title you want as you are in control of "MAKING THAT HAPPEN" Stevie Kidd

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