news

City’s pupils take part in tourism challenge initiative

08 Oct 2011

lit into three smaller teams the teenagers then work together to build and shape their own unique artworks. This is just one of the activities set up for more than 300 pupils from schools and colleges across Glasgow as part of an innovative skills challenge, The Glasgow Trail, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday September 28 and 29.
The aim of the initiative, organised by Springboard Scotland, partnered by GSWS and funded by Skills development Scotland, is to offer city youngsters the opportunity to find out more about Glasgow’s thriving tourism and hospitality.
So, while fun and engagement is the message of the activity at GoMA, as well as a banqueting table challenge set up at the Radisson Blu hotel and a pop quiz at The Lighthouse, the young people were also given an opportunity to see a wide range of city attractions, restaurants, pubs and hotels and to offer them an insight into the great wealth of jobs and careers in this sector.
The Glasgow Trail has been specifically adapted for the city’s pupils to take them on a treasure hunt style tour of Glasgow. While walking around the city, the participants are required to answer questions and also take part in the three activities. 
Amanda McDade, of Springboard Scotland, said: “The Glasgow Trail is all about showing our teenagers that their city is a fantastic visitor destination with many attractions, such as museums, art galleries, sports venues, conference centres, hotels, restaurants, pubs and clubs. It’s about revealing the value of these attractions in terms of Glasgow being a brilliant visitor destination.
 
“In addition we have been keen to reveal to these young people all the career options on offer in this sector. There are so many opportunities that they may not have even considered.”
The vice-chair of GSWS, and also head of hospitality at City of Glasgow College, Gordon McIntrye, keenly supports the Glasgow Trail initiative. He said: “We want to change the perceptions that a career in hospitality is a lower-paid and second-rate option and to make these pupils aware of the wealth of great opportunities for enjoying a rewarding career in tourism and hospitality.
“Our sector is not only about waitressing and bar work, it covers the full spectrum of possible careers including managerial, HR, teaching, creative and financial.
“For people with an entrepreneurial bent or those with aspirations of a fast-track career to good money, this sector certainly provides great opportunities. There are many unexpected jobs and career choices inhospitality and tourism and it’s important that we highlight these to young people in the city.” 
At GoMA, learning assistant Mark Aitken is a prime example of someone who has found themselves surprised to be enjoying a career in tourism. The Art School graduate has been able to combine his creative talents with a rewarding job teaching children and adults at art-based workshops in the Gallery.
He said: “There is a far greater variety of jobs in the tourism sector than I’d ever imagined. Working as a learning assistant is really enjoyable and has been a great career choice.”
Today is a good example of Mark’s work. He said: “It’s great to welcome pupils into GoMA and to let them see what goes on here and for them to have fun making their own sculpture. This helps to bring to life what we offer for visitors here.
“Underlying the activity is the chance to reveal to young people that there are lots of jobs that they might not have thought about. Like mine!”
Entering the Gallery is the next group of pupils taking part in The Glasgow Trail. These 16-year-olds are from St Paul’s High School, Pollok, where there is a department dedicated to Home Economics and Hospitality. Principal teacher is Mrs Harper, who has been accompanying her pupils on the day’s tour.
She said: “It has been a great insight for many of the pupils to find out more about the attractions in Glasgow. Many of them have not had opportunities to see these types of visitor attractions and hotels in their own city.
“The activities have encouraged team work and confidence building, too. They have also had to communicate with pupils they might not already know well and to learn how to get on with each other in the activity challenges.”
Mrs Harper added that she hopes that many of the pupils will be encouraged to further their careers in hospitality and tourism. 
She said: “I tell my pupils that you do not have to be hugely academic to have a good job or career, instead it can be very beneficial to be confident, reliable, a people-person and knowledgeable. There are so many good jobs in this sector and I think this trail initiative is a great way to showcase the careers and opportunities.”
One pupil at the school is Jade O’Neill. The 16-year-old revealed that she has learned a great deal about the history of Glasgow, the attractions and the possible jobs during the trail day.
She said: “I thought hospitality was all about food and cooking but I now realise there is so much more to it including managers, trainers, business owners.
“Through this Trail I have also been really surprised by all the different places there are to visit in Glasgow and the huge number of restaurants, hotels and pubs. It’s amazing.
“I have also really enjoyed the activities, and learning how to work as part of a team on the three challenges.”
As she heads back to join her group, their ingenious sculpture is being treated to its finishing touches. Named Spaghetti Hoops, the artwork reveals lots of creativity, imagination and teamwork from the St Paul’s group. The two other sculptures are named Guy Fawkes and Sally Snake, which Mark reports is his winner.
“It’s good fun. This, isn’t, Miss?” one pupil is overhead saying. “I might think about a job in an art gallery or a museum or maybe a hotel.”
* A special Awards Evening, hosted by GCC Education Department, will be held on November 2 at the City Chambers, at which parents, teachers and guests will celebrate the pupils’ success on the Trail.

At first a little apprehensive, but then quickly engaged, a large group of Glasgow school pupils rummage through a pile of seemingly random art materials in the main hall at GoMA (the Gallery of Modern Art). Pulling out plastic tubes, long black foam cylinders, scrunchy tissue paper, strips of crepe paper, bubble wrap, boxes and poles, the 16 year-olds from Smithycroft Secondary School choose the items they plan to use to create a sculpture.

Split into three smaller teams, the teenagers then work together to build and shape their own unique artworks. This is just one of the activities set up for more than 300 pupils from schools and colleges across Glasgow as part of an innovative skills challenge, The Glasgow Trail, which took place on 28/29 September.

The aim of the initiative, organised by Glasgow Service with Style in partnership with Springboard, and funded by Skills Development Scotland, is to offer city youngsters the opportunity to find out more about Glasgow’s thriving tourism and hospitality sector. So, while fun and engagement was the message of the activity at GoMA, as well as a banqueting table challenge set up at the Radisson Blu hotel and a pop quiz at The Lighthouse, the young people were also given an opportunity to see a wide range of city attractions, restaurants, and hotels to offer them an insight into the great wealth of jobs and careers in this sector.

The Glasgow Trail has been specifically designed for the city’s pupils to take them on a treasure hunt style tour of Glasgow. While walking around the city, the participants are required to answer questions and also take part in the three activities. The innovative accompanying Trail booklet was produced with support from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Amanda McDade, of Springboard Scotland, said: “The Glasgow Trail is all about showing our teenagers that their city is a fantastic visitor destination with many attractions, such as museums, art galleries, sports venues, conference centres, hotels, restaurants, pubs and clubs. It’s about revealing the value of tourism to the city, and showcasing the excellent visitor experience which Glasgow offers. 

“In addition we have been keen to reveal to these young people all the career options on offer in this sector. There are so many opportunities that they may not have even considered.”

The vice-chair of GSWS, and also head of hospitality at City of Glasgow College, Gordon McIntyre, keenly supports the Glasgow Trail initiative. He said: “We want to change the perceptions that a career in hospitality is a lower-paid and second-rate option and to make these pupils aware of the wealth of great opportunities for enjoying a rewarding career in tourism and hospitality.

“Our sector is not only about waitressing and bar work, it covers the full spectrum of possible careers including managerial, HR, teaching, creative and financial.

“For people with an entrepreneurial desire or those with aspirations of a fast-track career to good salaries, this sector certainly provides great opportunities. There are many unexpected jobs and career choices in hospitality and tourism and it’s important that we highlight these to young people in the city.” 

At GoMA, learning assistant Mark Aitken is a prime example of someone who has found themselves surprised to be enjoying a career in tourism. The Art School graduate has been able to combine his creative talents with a rewarding job teaching children and adults at art-based workshops in the Gallery.

He said: “There is a far greater variety of jobs in the tourism sector than I’d ever imagined. Working as a learning assistant is really enjoyable and has been a great career choice.”

Today is a good example of Mark’s work. He said: “It’s great to welcome pupils into GoMA and to let them see what goes on here and for them to have fun making their own sculpture. This helps to bring to life what we offer for visitors here.

“Underlying the activity is the chance to reveal to young people that there are lots of jobs that they might not have thought about. Like mine!”

Entering the Gallery is the next group of pupils taking part in The Glasgow Trail. These 16 year-olds are from St Paul’s High School, Pollok, where there is a department dedicated to Home Economics and Hospitality. Principal teacher is Mrs Harper, who has been accompanying her pupils on the day’s tour.

She said: “It has been a great insight for many of the pupils to find out more about the attractions in Glasgow. Many of them have not had opportunities to see these types of visitor attractions and hotels in their own city.

“The activities have encouraged team work and confidence building, too. They have also had to communicate with pupils they might not already know well and to learn how to get on with each other in the activity challenges.”

Mrs Harper added that she hopes that many of the pupils will be encouraged to further their careers in hospitality and tourism. 

She said: “I tell my pupils that there are lots of job opportunities in the hospitality industry. And not all of them require top-level academic achievements. Instead it can be very beneficial to be confident, reliable, a people-person and to have the right attitude. There are so many good jobs in this sector and I think this trail initiative is a great way to showcase the careers and opportunities.”

One pupil at the school is Jade O’Neill. The 16 year-old revealed that she has learned a great deal about the history of Glasgow, the attractions and the possible jobs during the trail day.

She said: “I thought hospitality was all about food and cooking but I now realise there is so much more to it including managers, trainers, and business owners. Through this Trail I have also been really surprised by all the different places there are to visit in Glasgow and the huge number of restaurants, hotels and attractions. It’s amazing.

“I have also really enjoyed the activities, and learning how to work as part of a team on the three challenges.”

As she heads back to join her group, their ingenious sculpture is being treated to its finishing touches. Named Spaghetti Hoops, the artwork reveals lots of creativity, imagination and teamwork from the St Paul’s group. The two other sculptures are named Guy Fawkes and Sally Snake, which Mark reports is his winner.

“This is good fun, isn't it Miss?” one pupil is overhead saying. “I might think about a job in an art gallery or a museum or maybe a hotel.”

* A special Awards Evening will be held on November 2 at the City Chambers, at which parents, teachers and guests will celebrate the pupils’ success on the Trail.