Last week SDF National Traineeship and Living Experience Engagement Group SVQ graduates received their certificates and congratulations from Scottish Government Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur.
In a ceremony in The Banqueting Hall at Glasgow City Chambers, the Minister praised the programme as “evidence of how committed SDF is to ensuring people with lived and living experience are supported into employment and are treated with dignity and respect – a key component of the National Mission” and “a powerful example of the Scottish Government’s approach to embedding ‘no one being left behind’”
Graduates were each applauded by an audience of invited guests including family and friends and staff from SDF, representatives from the programme’s twenty four placement providers and eight funders.
Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum welcomed and congratulated the graduates. “It is a real privilege to be surrounded by so many incredible people – people who’ve worked hard, pushed through challenges, and made it to this moment. Today is not just about getting a certificate. It is about everything that it took to get here. We are here to celebrate people who know what it means to struggle, to rebuild, and to keep going even when things feel impossible. You have taken your experiences, your strength, and your honesty and you have turned that into something really powerful: a qualification, a future, a way to help others. You have proved that growth is always possible, that your past does not define your future and that your experience is not only valid – it’s valuable. We celebrate you, your hard work and determination.”
The National Traineeship was established in 2004 as The Addiction Worker Training Programme and offers participants with their own lived or living experience both certificated training and work experience in two placements. This combination has shown to greatly increase participants employability by improving skills and knowledge and allowing people to show their real potential. Since it began, 90% of the 432 who started the Traineeship have completed it and 85% of people completing the programme have progressed into employment.
If you are interested in the Traineeship you can find out more at this link