THE limelight was on Auchenharvie Academy this week when the school received significant funding for its new Nail Bar project from DYW (Developing Young Workforce) Ayrshire and the Prince’s Trust.

The initial concept is to establish a fully equipped state of the art nail bar at the school as part of a project aimed at enhancing pupils’ employability by providing vocational training and appropriate communication and customer service skills.

The nail bar will be established in a dedicated facility within the school and will attempt to replicate as closely as possible a commercial nail bar.

In the first year a minimum of twelve Auchenharvie pupils will take part in the project.

Claire Baird, the DYW Ayrshire Project Executive, presented the DYW cheque and Walter Smith, Prince’s Trust Chair Ayrshire presented the individual Prince’s Trust Development awards to the group of pupils, who will immediately benefit from the awards. The pupils were supported by Mr McDougall, Principal Teacher of Developing the Young Workforce.

The major new initiative is about ensuring a work relevant educational experience for young people.

The DYW and Prince’s Trust funding will allow the school to purchase the equipment required for the nail bar and provide the training for the pupils.

Mr Johnston, Head Teacher, said: “This is another major new initiative for Auchenharvie Academy. We are absolutely delighted to receive the DYW and Prince’s Trust funding to support our employability skills programmes.”

“The finance comes from the Scottish Government Youth Employment Initiative and the Scottish Government Cash Back for Communities Programme. It is great to see young people benefiting from this. This will help develop Auchenharvie Academy’s drive to develop Employability Skill