Project Description

It’s just over a year since the NEFCA programme – the North East Fife Coastal Alliance – launched and it’s resulted in real, day-to-day opportunities for local young people.

Before NEFCA, work experience was mostly ad hoc: the team at St Andrews Links always endeavoured to help when someone asked. Over the past year, led by Christine Randall-Klee, and with the backing of the wider NEFCA programme, they have shifted to a more structured approach.

This approach combined with the Workit platform means that nearby schools such as Madras College and Waid Academy, are now more aware of what they can offer and when. The placements are designed so pupils spend a significant portion of time with the business to actually learn more about its operations and build confidence over longer periods of time.

The Greenkeeping department at St Andrews Links has been a big success story for S3 and S4 pupil placements. Christine shares with us,

“Our greenkeeping operations manager, Gordon McKie has been instrumental in showcasing how much science and tech sits behind the upkeep of the famous fairways. It was also important to show that greenkeeping is a solid career pathway with a lot of opportunity for learning and development.”

She adds,

“We’ve also opened up retail placements, giving pupils a feel for customer service in a busy, international environment. A short Teams chat before they start acts as a gentle mock interview and a chance to ask questions, so they walk in on day one knowing who they’ll meet and what to expect.

Behind the scenes, using the WorkIT platform has helped us plan and manage placements more smoothly, and interest from schools is growing. The next step is simple: more of what’s working – more placements, more departments involved, and more local young people able to imagine themselves building a future in golf and hospitality.”