Hand Picked offers help to Christmas school leavers

4th January 2021

Hand Picked, a business-led jobs programme set up and run by CR Smith, is offering Fife Christmas school leavers help with their CVs and job search.

With over 150 young people in Fife estimated to have left school at the end of last term, Hand Picked project manager, Pauline McGeevor, is extending the offer of support to help those entering the jobs market for the first time.

Through the network of Hand Picked business partners, these young people can receive coaching and advice on job applications, CVs and cover letters to put them in the best possible position to secure employment.

In October, Lauren Strachan (17), secured a paid work placement with Dunfermline-based Morgans Solicitors straight from school, having contacted Hand Picked. Shannon Allan (18), also started a paid work placement at Building Blocks Nursery through Hand Picked.

Pauline McGeevor said:

“It is tough for anyone leaving school or college just now, but we’ve seen positive results when young people are mentored and given support with their job search. We can give practical job seeking skills, and we can put them in touch with business people in our network who can also support to help them build their confidence and focus their applications.

“It has been extremely encouraging to see a number of local businesses step forward to provide paid work experience for school leavers through Hand Picked recently. My thanks to Morgans Solicitors and Building Blocks Nursery, who are the latest to take young people on. Things are very different at the moment and it is important to show young people our support by helping them find employment where possible.

“If your business can offer a paid placement to a school or college leaver or if you are a young person in need of support, please email me [email protected] for more information.”

Hand Picked from CR Smith runs a number of employability initiatives, including its job sponsorship programme of paid work placements, Hand Picked for Schools, the Hand Picked Academy and the Employability Hub at Lochgelly High School. CR Smith is also involved in ‘Career Ready’ programme in Fife.

Our premier partners...