The Avenue and Mearns Primary partnership is shortlisted for awards

The initiative has been shortlisted in the East Renfrewshire Business Awards 2019 as well as being shortlisted for a Revo Purple Apple Marketing Award – the only awards which recognise and reward effective retail destination marketing within the UK retail property sector.

The string of award shortlistings come eighteen months after the initiative first launched in November 2017, with retailers including Asda, M&S, Waterstones, Specsavers and Centre Management all committed to givingmore than 900 local children aged 4-11 the opportunity to learn from retailers at the centre.

The programme now in its second year welcomes Clydesdale Bank’s commitment also.

Michelle McCabe, centre manager at The Avenue said: “We’re delighted with this recognition following the investment and commitment from Centre Management, Mearns Primary School and retailers here at The Avenue to ensuring we provide East Renfrewshire’s future workforce with invaluable work experiences before they leave primary school.”

The Avenue in partnership with Mearns Primary School’s Developing the Young Workforce provides class visits which are age group appropriate.

A half hour lesson for every year group from Primary 1 to 7 has been developed with every pupil being given the opportunity to move to the next work experience the following academic year.

Over the initial seven year project, in excess of 5900 pupil visits will take place, all with different learning outcomes applicable to the class year involved whilst meeting the objectives of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.