Ayrshire Post

“It’s a win-win situation”

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Jenny McLay, 41, is the founder of Edinburghb­ased tourist attraction, The Chocolatar­ium. She says taking on a Kickstart recruit has helped her grow her business

“Before opening The Chocolatar­ium, I ran an English language school so I was very experience­d in working with young people. I enjoy taking them on and seeing them grow as well as it being helpful for the business itself.

“We initially took on six Kickstart recruits at the end of March and one now has a job with us. The scheme allows you to grow the business in a way you couldn’t before. Before it was just myself, the assistant manager and about six guides. One of the reasons I decided to use Kickstart was because with the pandemic, we were in the process of setting up an online chocolate shop.

“With Kickstart, it’s not so much whether people have the skills – the whole point is that you can develop those skills. As long as they’re able and willing to learn, then it’s a really positive experience.

“The key thing is that if you can find a young person who is a match for you in terms of their interests and what they want to do, you’re getting talent and the government is supporting you in doing so. When you consider the training you’re giving and the benefit that a recruit is bringing, then I think it’s a win-win situation.”

 ??  ?? PICTURE PERFECT Beth Jamieson
PICTURE PERFECT Beth Jamieson

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