Saltire Fellow Mentors Employee to CAI Success 

When Glasgow won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the City Council there announced a new initiative which will ensure that individuals and businesses gain from the economic benefits that the Games will bring.

The Commonwealth Apprenticeships Initiative was set up to create more jobs for the city's young people and through it, businesses are offered funding to train up apprentices and to partially subsidise salaries. Almost 2000 school-leavers have been placed in the last two years and on November 23^rd the Council held an awards ceremony at the City Chambers to celebrate the successes of those taking part.

Among those nominated for awards was 17 year old Gemma Aire, who works at CUP restaurant on Byres Road. CUP, under the ownership of 2009 Fellow Paul Reynolds, put Gemma forward for 'Business Apprentice of the Year' after her outstanding contribution to various aspects of their business over the past year. Gemma, a past pupil of Drumchapel High School beat off nine other finalists to win the award, and was also chosen by the City Council to be given the coveted 'Leaders' Choice Award', in recognition of her overall personal development. According to her boss and mentor Paul, her hard work, outstanding business ethic and ability to apply herself were just a few of the reasons she was nominated. He said:

"She has the ability to think outside the box and come up with ideas and here she has been recognised for applying herself to something completely outside of her comfort zone. She bakes well and even planned the menu with me, determining what were seasonal dishes and so on. Because we're such a small business she has to do everything and she has to add value to the business. Gemma looks at everything she possibly can to make sure she's adding to the business."

When asked about any impact that the Saltire Fellowship Programme may have had on his leadership, Paul identifies his time at Babson College as significant in opening up the idea of reciprocity in business. Reciprocity is identified by Babson as one of the seven habits of highly effective people and carries the idea of an 'emotional bank account': whatever you put in, you will eventually get back. Paul explained, "Part of my vision for here was about employing people who needed jobs. Out of twelve employees, eleven didn't have jobs when they came to work for us so it's about giving younger people a chance and a bit of experience."

The Saltire Foundation would like to congratulate Gemma and Paul for their great success and achievements in 2011.

Glasgow City Council are also offering a Commonwealth Graduate Fund, which will see £10 million spent over four years to fund 1000 graduate jobs in the city.

For more information visit: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/LearningEmployment_Training/CommonwealthGraduateFund/

CUP is located at 311 Byres Road. For more information visit: www.cupglasgow.co.uk