Paid Work Placement – Reece Mackay

Why was the Paid Work Placement programme of interest to you?

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is a partner delivering the Paid Work Placements programme, but also wished to be a host organisation to provide a young person with a six-month work placement.

The Paid Work Placements programme is delivered on behalf of Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS). Glasgow Chamber of Commerce will be supporting participants through the process of securing placements. Other partners include Enable Scotland, CEMVO Scotland, and Move On.

Why did you select your chosen candidate and how have they adapted during their placement?

In August 2023, Reece was referred to Paid Work Placements by his DYW Co-ordinator who was still supporting Reece after he left secondary school. He didn’t really enjoy school and found it challenging at times. Since leaving school, he has had different work experience opportunities and has developed an interest in administration and office environments. Reece was therefore successful in securing a paid work placement with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

What support has the participant received during their work placement?

Reece has received day to day support from Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow and the entire Glasgow Chamber of Commerce team, as well as from his key worker at Move On.

What are the participant’s aspirations at the end of the placement?

With the end of his placement approaching, the opportunity to extend the placement became available and through the support of Glasgow Guarantee, Reece has now started a Business Administration apprenticeship with Glasgow Chamber, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have Reece with us. Glasgow Guarantee is an employment programme for small businesses based in Glasgow.

Are there any highlights or achievements so far from the participant’s placement you would like to share?

His placement has gone incredibly well, and Reece has grown in confidence.

Quote from participant about their placement

“My time at the Chamber has been amazing. I feel like I have been learning and growing every second. Everyone is incredibly supportive, especially Rebecca who I work with every day and my key worker Henry Lennon from Move On who I have been meeting with regularly. They have been there for me every step of the way. From feeling unsure about school and what I was going to do in the future, to going into this work placement and then being able to start an apprenticeship. I’m the youngest person to do so at the Chamber at only 17 and it has been a great journey, I’m very excited to see where this takes me. Looking back, I would never have imagined just a few months ago that I would be able to grow and do so much and have joy in what I do. I love being part of a team and can speak to any of them for help at any time – it has been a very positive experience. What I love most about my job is the opportunities that it will present afterwards, but also having the connections with employers all around Glasgow and learning what they do. I’m enjoying meeting new people along the way, and this has motivated me to work on myself to become a better person. I want to learn and do as many things as I can. If I had a message for other people who are unsure about what they want to do, it is to try new things and always dream big, even if people say it’s not possible because it is and the only way you won’t achieve something is by not doing it!”