Michael Russell was on a tour of the new Hope Homes housing development on HRH the Duke of Rothesay’s Dumfries House Estate, where pupils of nearby Auchinleck and Cumnock Academies are gaining new skills and experience.
While many of the pupils are gaining 'hands-on' experience, others are learning about areas such as design, architecture and marketing.
The pupils will gain SQA qualifications in Employability, Skills for Work and Leadership.
The scheme is part of East Ayrshire Council’s £1m Business Enterprise Fund 2011.
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Mr Russell was shown around the Interaction initiative by design director David Ross of Keppie Design.
The initiative challenges students to design structures for use in selling products created and made in schools.
Finalists from each of the nine secondary schools will compete in a Dragons’ Den style competition in Council HQ on Friday 31 January.
Michael Russell MSP said: "Curriculum for Excellence is designed to give pupils the skills they need for learning, life and work. This initiative is a great example of how schools and employers can work together to help young people learn about the world of work, making their learning journey more interesting and preparing them for the start of their working life."
Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "We were delighted to welcome Michael Russell MSP to East Ayrshire to see how successful our bold enterprise push in education has been – and continues to be.
"There is great enthusiasm in all our schools for such initiatives. The work going on at Knockroon with Auchinleck and Cumnock Academy pupils highlights this driving force and strong ambition for the future of our young people."
(IT)
