Young people qualifying in Bike Maintenance have refurbished bikes to an impeccable condition. The bicycles are now on sale at affordable prices for Kibble employees who are shopping for Christmas gifts. The bike shop operates as a social enterprise with all profits reinvested into the entrepreneurial project.
The Skills Academy is Kibble’s education and training centre based in Hillington Park and St Mirren Football Club. Young people who are enrolled develop skills, gain qualifications and complete valuable work experience, which all help to build employability skills.
Our prospectus promises young people a varied curriculum with practical and entrepreneurial projects. Recent achievements have ranged from construction students renovating St Mirren’s training complex and refurbishing SMISA stadium’s hospitality entrance to a young aspiring car mechanic mentoring younger pupils interested in engineering too. The Bike Maintenance students have been working towards their SCQF qualification and the prestigious Saltire award while maintaining the bike fleet within Kibble’s PE Department and upcycling old bikes. The supportive learning environment helps young people feel a sense of achievement, boosting their confidence levels.
Entrepreneurial skills are an important factor of The Skills Academy. Our aim is for young people to learn the value in possessing knowledge and expertise in a life-long skill.
By students opening their own Bike Shop to our workforce, young people can develop an aptitude for business, finance, customer service and leadership. Young people are also appealing for staff to donate any unused bikes that are in repairable condition.
The recent initiative is part of The Skills Academy’s purpose to equip young people with qualifications and practical experience that can help them build a potential career and look towards a bright future.
