Two West Lothian colleges, had been recognised at a nationwide award ceremony in Edinburgh for pupil-run social enterprises.
Fifty-six colleges from throughout Scotland had been celebrated for social enterprise initiatives established of their colleges on the fifteenth Annual Social Enterprise Academy Awards, hosted on the Meeting Rooms in Edinburgh.
And among the many winners had been James Younger Excessive College and St Margaret’s Academy, each of Livingston.
Innovated in partnership with The Scottish Authorities in 2007, Social Enterprise Colleges permits each younger individual to step up, realise their potential, and create the change they wish to see on the earth by means of purpose-driven companies.
Colleges from throughout the nation had been celebrated for his or her artistic and expressive examples of social enterprise and 25 of the colleges showcased their enterprise at a particular social enterprise market on the day.
The James Younger Excessive College was one of many colleges celebrated on the day for its fruit waste recycling initiative.
Head trainer Tricia Gallagher mentioned: “We're delighted to be recognised for the varsity’s dedication to social enterprise on the Social Enterprise Academy Awards. Social Enterprise performs an essential function within the improvement of our pupils and it's fantastic to see them channel their pure enthusiasm in the direction of creating the change they wish to see on the earth. Congratulations to the entire colleges recognised at this particular occasion.”
Cupboard Secretary for Training and Expertise, Shirley-Anne Somerville joined the celebration to point out her assist and congratulate younger folks on their success. She mentioned: “Social Enterprise Colleges performs an especially essential function within the improvement of Scotland’s younger folks as we get well from Covid-19. By establishing a social enterprise of their faculty, pupils are participating within the sensible and inventive abilities required to run a enterprise whereas making a distinction to causes they really care about. They're gaining in confidence and enhancing their very own wellbeing in addition to that of their friends and area people.
“It has been fantastic to play an element in such a special occasion as we come collectively to rejoice the success of colleges from throughout Scotland. I look ahead to supporting the Social Enterprise Academy because it continues to supply the programme to much more colleges throughout the nation.”
Round 400 folks attended the awards, made up of younger folks from colleges, schools and universities, lecturers, lecturers, relations, enterprise companions and different visitors.
Neil McLean, CEO on the Social Enterprise Academy, mentioned: “By giving younger folks a real-life expertise of operating their very own social enterprise at school, our programme delivers transformational studying which impacts them and their group. The younger folks taking part are of all ages and talents, and they're passionate and articulate advocates of social enterprise, not solely inspiring folks in their very own communities, but additionally folks and communities internationally in nations corresponding to Australia, Malaysia, Egypt and South Africa. Because of assist from The Scottish Authorities, we intention to offer each faculty in Scotland the chance to create their very own social enterprise by 2024.
“The Social Enterprise Academy Awards is all the time such a special occasion that brings everybody collectively to share their success and swap concepts. An enormous congratulations to each scholar concerned!”
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