M&S Dunfermline Colleague Recognised As A Budding Talent

Fife local and M&S Dunfermline colleague Ethan Gordon, aged 17, has been recognised as a breakthrough talent by the King’s Trust.

Ethan first joined M&S in August last year through Marks & Start, an employability programme that M&S runs in partnership with the King’s Trust aimed at young people who face barriers to employment. After a disrupted education, Ethan found himself out of school and lacking confidence, and he was connected with the Marks & Start programme through the Job Centre.

The four-week work experience programme saw Ethan gain practical experience working in the M&S Café in the Dunfermline store, with weekly travel to Edinburgh to build employability skills. He was offered a contract with M&S at the end of the placement.

Ethan said: “It’s such a good programme for anyone who’s feeling a bit low in life, wants to grow – or even just wants to get a job. Through Marks & Start, you get support with everything from developing communication and teamwork skills to help updating your CV. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

Now six months later, Ethan continues to work at the café in M&S Dunfermline and says the people are the best part about the job. He commented: “I love all the connections you get to make. Whether you’re chatting with customers, colleagues or your manager, it’s just such a nice and sociable place to work.”

Ethan is the winner of the Breakthrough Award at the King’s Trust Awards Scotland, which recognises young people who have taken steps to develop new skills that will mobilise them in a positive direction. He received his award at a ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday, 22nd January.

Jade McLaren, Store Manager at M&S Dunfermline, said: “We are all so proud of Ethan for receiving this award, and for everything he’s achieved since joining us. He is so hardworking and motivated but also brings a real lightness and lots of humour to the team in the Café every day. He’s an asset to our team and a complete natural at what he does.”

Ethan added: “It’s hard to put the feeling into words. I’m proud of myself but I also wish I could share the award with everyone else who did the programme with me, as it was amazing to watch them grow alongside myself. Lots of them now work in other M&S stores and we keep in touch.”

While working at M&S Dunfermline, Ethan is completing a Level 6 in Social Sciences at Fife College and he has applied to undertake a HNC in Social Sciences at Fife College next year, with ambitions to become the first person in his immediate family to go to university, to study Politics and Psychology.

Each year, around 100 people in Scotland are accepted onto the Marks & Start employability programme, many of whom are offered a contract at the end of their placement. Run in partnership with the King’s Trust, the programme helps young people gain vital employability skills and practical experience to support them into work.

ENDS