States trip is prescription for building career hope

Jul 2 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

PUPILS from a West Lothian school are set to travel to the USA this autumn thanks to a locally-based company.

Sarah Spence and Sarah Crosbie of Inveralmond Community High, in Livingston, have been invited by Johnson and Johnson, which has a base in Livingston, to attend its Bridge to Employment (BTE) conference in Washington DC in October.

The BTE initiative aims to open pupils to the opportunities available in the health care industries and to support the students in making informed choices and decisions that ensure a healthy lifestyle and equip them for the world of work.

Sarah Spence said she had already benefited from the programme, even before the trip to America adding: “In live links from America, we have seen a kidney transplant taking place and a heart operation being performed. It was just amazing.”

Sarah Crosbie said she was also really looking forward to the experience.

She added: “It will be a great opportunity to experience the working environment abroad and it will be great to meet and work with the other people in the programme.”

Inveralmond’s head teacher, Bill Tevendale, said that he was delighted the girls have been given the chance to visit the conference.

He said: “This is an outstanding opportunity for the girls who will travel to Washington.

“The Bridge to Employment programme, which has been delivered through Inveralmond’s partnerships with Johnson and Johnson and West Lothian college, has provided an excellent opportunity for our pupils to experience the world of work in addition to learning the theoretical skills required for a career in the health industry.”

Executive councillor for education, Andrew Miller, also welcomed the opportunity being made available to the students.

“This is a fantastic partnership which is clearly bringing benefits to local young people,” he said.

“It is a great chance to experience a multi-national company first hand and I’m sure it will have a positive impact on their choices in the future.”

David Brown, BTE programme leader at J&J Medical in Livingston, said the company is happy to be able to help the girls’ future careers.

He said: “Through the BTE programme we aim to introduce students to a wide range of career options within the health sector and hopefully inspire some of them to set their sights on a career in healthcare.

“This trip will provide the students with an opportunity to meet and interact with students from other BTE programmes.”