Nearly 240 local young people have now benefitted from training and support, enabling and equipping them with the skills required to access full time jobs across the local area thanks to East Ayrshire Council’s Jobs and Training Fund – exceeding all expectations at the outset of the programme.
The Fund, established in 2022 and running until March 2025, originally aimed to create two hundred career opportunities for training for young residents, either in the Council or local business.
Offering Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships and Graduate Internships, the programme offers paid training and work experience for up to four years in a variety of skills, cutting across council services and local businesses.
From, civil engineering to accountancy and electrician to social care, the Council’s teams and local companies have welcomed new young colleagues as they work and train towards qualifications ranging from Modern Apprenticeships to HNC and degree qualifications, as well as gaining valuable work experience on specific projects for new graduates.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, praised the success of the programme He said:
“Our Jobs and Training programme has surpassed everyone’s expectations! It was initially funded for three years and the review presented to Cabinet recently shows that the initiative has been an incredible success, exceeding the original target outcomes set by the Council.
“As part of our ambitions for Community Wealth Building we recognise that growing our young workforce helps us make the most of what our talented young people have to offer.
“This programme has provided a vital springboard for many, helping them to stay in the local area if they choose to do so and making a meaningful and prosperous contribution to our local economy, both now and in the future.
Councillor Neal Ingram, Cabinet Spokesperson for Human Resources added:
“Between ourselves and local businesses, we have now supported 231 people with apprenticeships and intern roles, creating defined career pathways and boosting our own workforce with bright, able, and well-trained young people who will play a big part in the future of our organisation.
“The variety of opportunities available covers many areas of the work of the Council, with services embracing the opportunity to welcome fresh talent and skills to their teams. For those who have completed their internships or apprenticeship programme, many have then been offered jobs within the Council, while others have gone on to new destinations with a wealth of experience and confidence gained as a result of their time with us.
To find out more about Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Internships or other career opportunities for East Ayrshire residents, with East Ayrshire Council and local businesses, please visit our Jobs and Careers webpages.
Hear what the apprentices say about their experiences:
