John Paul Academy in Summerston is improving its pupils chances of getting a job by developing a unit concentrating on vocational skills.

It now has a hair and beauty salon, car mechanic workshop, DIYclasses and a soccer academy for third-year pupils.

Local business owners, tutors from Clydebank College and staff at Partick Thistle, are on board to support the venture which aims to arm school-leavers with practical skills.

Paisley-based businessman Steven McKinnon said the courses would have "massive" benefits for the pupils.

Steven, 44, is the co-owner of the family-run garage Forbes and McKinnon Ltd, and has been taking on apprentices for 20 years.

He has five apprentices at the moment, three are training through the Commonwealth Apprentice Initiative.

He said: "I believe wholeheartedly in apprenticeships. We still have a number of employees who began as apprentices.

"When you are starting in business you pick up others' bad habits, but we have people on company training and they know the company."

Steven has designed and will deliver a 12-week programme which includes visits to his garage, the opportunity to meet current apprentices and gain practical mechanical skills.

He said: "I think the courses are wonderful. I don't want to treat them as students. I want to treat them like apprentices.

"Even if they eventually go on to another job, at least they will have learned the basic mechanics of a car. I am using my life experience to run a course which will allow these young students to enter the big wide world of work.

"I will teach them ways to be independent and work in a garage like mine."

Every third-year pupil, aged 14 and 15, will take part in the Wider Achievement programme, now a compulsory part of the timetable. They will be the first to use the newly built facilities for one afternoon each week.

As part of the Curriculum of Excellence, the pupils will now complete seven qualifications, instead of the traditional eight, and their spare time will be dedicated to the vocational courses.

Head teacher Vincent Docherty said the school plans to further develop and extend the programme. He said: "The new Curriculum of Excellence is all about skill development, deep learning and preparation for the world of work.

"For our pupils, it is not only through academic opportunities that they have the best chances to find long-term and sustainable jobs for the future.

"They will get the highest standards of academic learning we can deliver, but we are also going to give them hands-on experience to become apprentices straight away.

"It has been widely reported that young people hoping to enter into professions are told that they have the qualifications but not the skills, so we are addressing this issue at a very early stage.

"Young people are going to be able to provide exactly what employers are looking for."

"In this country we start looking at careers in fourth year, but that is too late.

"If youngsters are going to be successful, we need to consider that early on.

"We are already seeing a difference in the pupils' attitudes as well as a significant positive impact on relationships between staff, pupils and the wider community."

Skill courses on offer include DIY skills, dance and fitness, physio- therapy, refereeing and even blogging.

The change in structure also means that the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Art in the Community groups can deliver alternative qualifications to the S3 pupils at John Paul Academy.

Councillor Stephen Curran, executive member for education and young people, said: "By linking up with local businesses and colleges, these young people will have the opportunity to learn skills from among the best in the country.

"This initiative fits perfectly with the school's new curriculum.

"Pupils will learn many skills and experiences that will stand them in good stead when applying for colleges and looking for jobs."

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk