Third year pupils from up to 20 high schools across the West of Scotland are set to take part in a series of entrepreneurial hackathons designed to help them explore future education pathways, develop confidence and build skills linked to real-world challenges.
Taking place across the University of the West of Scotland’s campuses in Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire and Paisley in February and March, the one-day hackathons will give young people the chance to work together, develop ideas and create prototypes in response to real-world themes like sustainability, net zero and building a better society. Each event will allow teams to pitch their ideas while receiving input from local business mentors and civic leaders.
Targeted specifically at S3 pupils, the programme aims to engage a year group that often sits outside traditional enterprise initiatives, empowering young people at a pivotal stage when they begin considering subjects and future careers. Schools will be encouraged to pitch cross-disciplinary teams, including pupils who may not naturally put themselves forward for such opportunities.
Fraser Maitland, Enterprise Manager at UWS Said:
“These hackathons are all about giving young people the confidence to explore new ideas and see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators. By working with local schools and community partners, we can help pupils discover skills they didn’t know they had and show them the opportunities that exist on their doorstep. It’s a fantastic platform for inspiring the next generation and strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit across our regions.”
The events are funded by the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Education Pathways Fund, with UWS awarded more than £30,000 to run the sessions at no cost to schools, with transport and catering costs covered. The funding, which forms part of a national initiative, supports entrepreneurial learning across Scotland’s schools and colleges.
Johnny Mone, Head of Business Innovation at UWS Said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the Scottish Government. It allows us to bring a transformative, hands-on learning experience to young people at a crucial stage in their education. S3 pupils are full of potential, but they are also at a point where the decisions they make can shape the direction of their future. These hackathons will give them the support and inspiration to develop confidence and understand the wide range of opportunities available to them. Our ambition is to ensure every participant leaves feeling informed and empowered and with a better idea as to the doors that are open to them whether that leads to university or another positive destination.”
The initiative brings together UWS’s CPD and enterprise teams, supported by local authorities and regional business partners, and forms part of the University’s widening access and placemaking agenda. Business mentors will work directly with pupils on the day, and UWS is seeking additional support from organisations interested in mentoring, judging pitches or participating in sector challenges.
The events will run throughout February and UWS is encouraging schools, local businesses and enterprise partners interested in taking part, to get in touch via the UWS Ignite website.
The programme supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.