Isla McLarty, 19, from Old Kilpatrick has highlighted Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire’s support for young people in his constituency by signing the WorldSkills UK Pledge.
By signing the Pledge, signatories show they are committed to promoting apprenticeships and vocational training to young people from all backgrounds, equipping them with the right skills to help the Scottish economy remain competitive now and in the future.
Isla, a trainee beautician who attends City of Glasgow College and works at Experience Health and Beauty in Dumbarton, is currently preparing to represent the UK at EuroSkills, Europe’s largest skills competition. WorldSkills UK manages the UK’s entry into EuroSkills and Isla will compete over three days at the competition with the aim of winning the Gold Medal, proving she is the best young beautician in Europe.
Isla McCarty said: “If you had told me when I first started studying that I would be selected to represent my country on the European stage, I wouldn’t have believed you. My HNC in Beauty Therapy has opened so many doors for me.
“Meeting Martin and hearing that he too is passionate about promoting apprenticeships and training has shown me that by working together we really can ensure that all young people are fully informed about the opportunities available to them.”
EuroSkills Gothenburg 2016 takes place from 1 to 3 December in Sweden. Isla will spend from now until the Competition completing an intensive training programme supported by her employer, college and Jena Baily, the UK Expert for Beauty Therapy.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said: “Isla is a great example of just what you can achieve with a high quality apprenticeship or training programme. She is passionate about ensuring all young people are fully informed about the career options open to them and so am I. As she prepares to compete at the EuroSkills Competition I want to wish her the very best of luck.”
By participating in international skills competitions, like EuroSkills, WorldSkills UK is able to benchmark apprenticeship and training programmes in this country with those from other countries, ensuring more young people are being equipped with the right skills to help UK businesses better compete globally.
Dr Neil Bentley, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We have seen just how talented people like Isla are as a result of their success in our competitions. However, I strongly believe that more needs to be done to show young people, whatever their background, the career opportunities that a high quality apprenticeship or training programme can offer them. We will work with those who sign the Pledge to champion world-class apprenticeships for young people in Scotland.”
If you would like to send a powerful message that skills and young people’s opportunities matter, please tweet your support to @worldskillsuk #skillswork.
