jamie’s Paid Traineeship case study

Ryan (left) and Jamie (right) learning camera skills at Stirling University

Jamie’s Traineeship Case Study

Sam Green - Creative Stirling

From the moment Jamie began his paid traineeship with us, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation in his development—not only in terms of workplace and employability skills, but also in his personal confidence, social engagement, and sense of self.

Throughout the paid traineeship, Jamie has made significant progress across key skill areas. His writing has improved not only in skill and expression, but he has also begun to find his unique voice: developing a fun, engaging style that reflects his personality. He is now writing more regularly and with greater confidence. Jamie communicates effectively in both one-to-one and group settings and consistently shows initiative in team discussions and collaborative projects.

His radio production skills, in particular, have flourished. Where previously he needed reassurance and guidance, he now records his own radio show independently. From scripting and recording to hosting his own segments, Jamie is growing in confidence and demonstrating both creativity and independence in his work.

Jamie’s independence has been one of the most notable changes. He has moved from needing close guidance to taking initiative, managing his own time, and making informed decisions about his work. He has also shown an impressive ability to engage with our various projects, events, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices. Through participating in our inclusive, youth-led environment, he has developed an understanding of the importance of creating safe, supportive, and equitable spaces—both for himself and others.

This progress has only been possible because of the nurturing and adaptable structure of our paid traineeship program, which places young people at the centre of their own learning and development. Without funding, opportunities like this simply would not exist. Jamie’s growth stands as strong evidence of the impact that a funded, person-centred paid traineeship can have.

We are excited about Jamie’s next steps. With continued support of funding, we would be keen to begin further developing film-making skills and deepening his work readiness, while also exploring future pathways and independent living skills (for example, exploring the process of taking the bus from Dunblane to Stirling—working towards independent travel). Our work with Jamie is not only about preparing him for employment, but about equipping him with the confidence, resilience, and awareness of his rights to succeed wherever he goes next.

Jamie’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when young people are given the time, space, and support to thrive. With future funding, we can continue to offer and expand these vital opportunities—helping Jamie and more young people build meaningful futures on their own terms.

Reflections on My Traineeship

Jamie Cramb - Creative Stirling

Over the past 8 months, I’ve experienced many new things in my paid traineeship at Creative Stirling. I’ve learned a lot of amazing things—some of which I didn’t even know I’d be interested in. To be honest, I’ve learned so much more than I ever did in school (from what I remember), and I think you just learn more once you leave school. That’s my opinion, anyway. So, here’s a bit about what I’ve been doing at Creative Stirling and what I’ve gained from it.

The first thing I want to tell you about is how I really got into radio. I have my own show on Stirling Community Radio, “Cramb in Creative”, where I tell listeners about upcoming events across Creative Stirling, Made in Stirling (the shop downstairs), and others around the local community. I know exactly what I’m doing now when I’m prerecording my show—when I first started, I wasn’t so sure and found it all really confusing. But you get the hang of it once you know what you're doing. For the first few months, Ryan was helping me with the recordings, but now I’ve been doing it on my own, which is great. My skills have grown, and I’m really happy that I now have the confidence to just go in and do it.

Another thing I really enjoy at Creative Stirling is writing blogs and scriptwriting for my show. When I was in school writing theatre reviews, my work was a bit messy and I didn’t write very much. But now, I’ve massively improved in confidence. I can type more, get into what I’m writing about, and really enjoy telling stories. Writing blogs

about what I’ve been doing has been fun, especially when I talk about how I feel and my opinions on certain things. My favourite ones were about mental health and the event we did with the National Film & TV School (NFTS) Scotland.

Most recently, I’ve been working on a “documentary-style” advert for the Community and Media Matters course, which I completed before I started my paid traineeship. The idea is to help more people understand the course so more young people can take part in the opportunity. I also joined the team on a trip to the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, which was amazing. It made me think I might be good at working in a museum one day, since I really enjoy learning about history.

I’m continuing to do my radio show, write blogs, help with events, film my documentary, and I’ve been a massive help to Creative Stirling—who, in turn, have been a massive help to me. This opportunity has helped me gain a lot of skills—not just in writing and radio, but also in how I talk to people and pick up on social cues better. It’s been an incredible experience, and I would still love to continue working here.

Jamie working a Careers Fair event at St Modans HS

Learning and Employability Officer Statement

Chris McNally – Stirling Council

As Jamie’s Learning and Employability Officer at Stirling Council—who supported the funding of his paid traineeship—I’ve had the privilege of monitoring his progress throughout his time at Creative Stirling. It has been genuinely inspiring to witness his remarkable growth, not only in his confidence and communication but also across a broad range of practical and creative employability skills.

On my most recent visit, Jamie even served me a barista-level cappuccino—a small gesture that spoke volumes about his enthusiasm for learning and the breadth of his developing abilities. I’m deeply impressed by the tailored, person-centred support Creative Stirling has provided, cultivating a space where Jamie has felt empowered to thrive and steadily work toward achieving his personal and professional goals.

His development stands as a powerful testament to the value of creative, supported pathways into employment, and we’re proud to have played a part in that journey.