WorkingRite works
A youth employment charity has seen a significant success rate in Mid & North Argyll, putting local 16- to 18-year- olds on the path to successful employment and modern apprenticeships – as well as giving businesses a welcome boost.
WorkingRite matches young people to smallor medium-sized enterprises and supports them through a work-based training programme. Recent placements which have resulted in offers for young people include:
• Jackson (age 19), has just completed his placement with Fyne Signs in Argyll and Ewen is now looking to take him on as a modern apprentice.
• Scott (age 18), has been working on Kerrera with boss Neil of Armour Joinery and is looking forward to starting his modern apprenticeship post next month.
• Allan (age 17), has been an electrical modern apprentice with Kevan Brown Limited since he finished his work placement in October 2016.
The local project co- ordinator for WorkingRite, Nicola McDade, said: ‘The success of these young people in the workplace goes to show that our philosophy of believing in the capabilities of young people works for both the young people and their employers, and is paying off, both for the young people and their employers.
‘Some of the young people we work with have already experienced various barriers in their lives that mean they need a helping hand from a programme like WorkingRite to help them on their way. WorkingRite treats each person individually and places them carefully with local businesses in a trade that interests them and this is getting great results throughout Argyll.’
Ewan of Fyne Signs said: ‘Thanks to WorkingRite, I am now in a position to take on an apprentice who I know wants to learn this industry.’
Trainees with WorkingRite complete a three- to six-month work placement with an employer and are given a weekly training allowance. They are supported by an adult mentor in the workplace, as well as their local WorkingRite project co- ordinator.
Ronald Gordon, manager and owner of Gordon & Strathearn Ltd, said: ‘The WorkingRite programme is fantastic, as it allows you to be a part of giving local young people the chance to work, but also employers the opportunity to trial a young person before committing to a modern apprenticeship.’
Young people joining the WorkingRite scheme are aged 16 to 18 and want to work but they can’t get on the ladder. Most have struggled in the school classroom but if on the right career path they can cope with a mixture of work-based learning and formal learning to achieve the qualifications needed for their career goals.
Neil of Armour Joinery commented: ‘Because of the WorkingRite placement, Scott has learned so much before he has even started his apprenticeship and because of this I’m very confident he will be a fantastic apprentice.’
Nicola McDade said: ‘ We are hoping that these latest success stories will show other young people that there is a way for them to achieve a positive and successful future. Matching young people with in a business they are interested in is key – that’s what makes it work. We have a wide range of employers willing to assist local young people, with placements currently waiting for the right young person including welding, busi- ness administration and aquaculture.
‘Having grown up in Argyll, I know how difficult it can be in a rural, and sometimes remote, area to know what the opportunities are out there and how to access them. A lot of young people are either desperate to leave the area or end up in a career they don’t necessarily like.’
Allan, a modern apprentice at Kevan Brown Ltd, said: ‘I am glad I joined the WorkingRite programme as it has let me gain first-hand experience in a trade that I want to work in.’
If you are a young person or an employer and want more information, please contact Nicola McDade on 07341 561965.