A CLACKMANNANSHIRE teen has been given expert advice from some of the UK’s top female executives at Girlguiding’s Camp CEO held at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire.

Catherine Young, 15, was one of 20 mentored during the unique girl-only camp designed to encourage more girls and young women to aim for the top and have confidence in their abilities.

This comes as new Girlguiding research shows only 35 per cent of young women aged 17-21 believe women and men have the same chance of succeeding in their chosen jobs.

The organisation said this is compared to a massive 90 per cent of 9-10 year old girls who think boys and girls have the same chance of being successful and 54 per cent of 11-16 year olds, highlighting a drop in confidence as girls get older. 

In response to girls feeling this way, Girlguiding launched Camp CEO 2016, where Catherine was coached by senior female executives on all aspects of careers.

She received one-to-one mentoring from Helen Pope, head of insurable risk at Tesco, and received expert advice on how to overcome challenges, build confidence, develop interview techniques and strengthen networking skills.

Catherine said: "Being a part of Camp CEO was an amazing experience. I learnt so much from by mentor, Helen, about being confident and pursuing your goals.

"I hope the experience will help me to be confident and aim high when I start out in my career and that I can share what I’ve learned at Camp CEO to inspire other girls."

Catherine, who volunteers as a young leader with the 1st Dollar Guides, hopes to pursue a career as an architect or a graphic designer.

She said: "Being part of Girlguiding Scotland has offered me so many opportunities to grow in confidence and develop my skills – from using my voice to speak out on the issues I care about to supporting other girls as a young leader and peer educator."

Girlguiding Scotland is the leading charity for girls and young women in Scotland, offering its nearly 50,000 young members a safe space to explore the issues they care about, enjoy new experiences and learn vital new skills.

The charity offers a hugely varied programme for girls and young women aged five to 25 including everything from international travel to adventurous activity, campaigning on the issues that matter to them to social action.

To find out more about how you can join the fun and adventure of Girlguiding Scotland visit their website.