Twenty-three pupils from Renfrewshire high schools have completed paid summer internships via the Career Ready programme, receiving workplace experience designed to sharpen skills ahead of further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Placements across council and private sector
The four-week paid placements were divided between council services and a range of private employers. Nine pupils worked within Renfrewshire Council, while the remaining 14 were hosted by firms including Diageo, Altrad, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Klas Care, City Gate Construction and Stannah Stairlifts. The scheme provides mentoring, masterclasses and the internship element as part of a two-year programme run by the UK-wide social mobility charity Career Ready.
Renfrewshire introduced the programme in 2024 and councillors say positive feedback from participants has helped widen access this year. A graduation ceremony was held for pupils who completed placements with the council, during which each participant described their experience.
“I had volunteered before, but I had never worked and gotten paid for it. Career Ready has given me experience of working in a real workplace,” said Talo Adeduro, a pupil at Paisley Grammar School.
Another pupil, James Docherty of Trinity High School, reflected on the difference between classroom learning and working in industry, describing the placement as an opportunity to observe what being a graphic designer involves in practice.
Context and local impact
Renfrewshire Council highlights the area’s strong record for school-leaver outcomes: it is ranked second among Scotland’s 32 councils for the proportion of young people entering positive destinations after leaving school, with almost 98% progressing to college, university, apprenticeships, training or employment. Programmes such as Career Ready form part of the Developing the Young Workforce agenda, which seeks to align education with employer needs.
- Number of pupils on this year's Career Ready internships: 23
- Placements with Renfrewshire Council: 9
- Placements with private sector employers: 14
The involvement of local employers — from global firms to care and construction businesses — demonstrates a cross‑sector commitment to supporting young people into work and training. For pupils, the scheme offers paid, supervised exposure to workplace routines, project work and professional mentoring that can inform future study and career choices.
| Host | Number of pupils |
|---|---|
| Renfrewshire Council | 9 |
| Diageo | Not specified |
| Altrad | Not specified |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific | Not specified |
| Klas Care | Not specified |
| City Gate Construction | Not specified |
| Stannah Stairlifts | Not specified |
While the precise number of pupils placed at each named employer was not disclosed, the spread of organisations reflects a mixture of corporate, manufacturing, care and construction sectors. Councillors and education officers argue that such diversity is important so young people can test different career paths and make informed decisions when leaving school.
Further expansion of Career Ready in Renfrewshire appears likely if participants continue to report positive outcomes. For families and pupils interested in similar opportunities, local schools and the council’s education team are the first points of contact for information on eligibility and application timelines.
This round of placements adds to efforts across Renfrewshire to sustain high levels of positive destinations for school leavers and to strengthen links between education and local employers.
