Hundreds have been given foot up on career ladder
A total of 900 people have been helped to find a new job over the past two years, thanks to Renfrewshire’s dedicated employability team.
And more than 1,000 local businesses have also signed up to work with Invest in Renfrewshire, which provides direct access to vacancies, work experience, training, personal support and finance.
Their efforts have helped Renfrewshire rise to fourth best region in Scotland for youth employment, with a better overall employment rate and higher average weekly earnings than the national position.
Economic development assistant Joan Ferguson, based at Paisley’s Russell Institute, said: “Every day is different. We get to work closely with local businesses, all pulling together to help people progress onto the job ladder.
“And the support we offer doesn’t stop when someone gains employment as we know that’s only the beginning of the journey.”
Tina Perrie, who is celebrating starting a paid traineeship at the Tannahill Centre café, was helped by the team after commiting her time to caring for her late mother.
She said: “When I first came here, I could hardly talk to anyone and I couldn’t even turn a computer on.
“Now I have completed training courses as a barista and in bar and cellar management.
“The staff here have given me my confidence back and, if it wasn’t for Invest, I would be stuck on the bottom rung of the ladder.”
Joan has offered mock interview training to university graduate Robert Allan, from Bishopton, who is part of the paid internship programme that sees graduates spend up to 11 months in a council or local business role, gaining on the job skills and employment support along the way.
And she visited Paisley coffee lounge Blend, where staff members James Maclennan and Chelsea Kenny came through the employability programme.
Blend managing director Alan Baird, from Foxbar, in Paisley, said: “When I heard about the services Invest offer, I thought this is something I definitely want to explore.
“The business receives a financial incentive to take on staff, which is great, but much more important to me is partnering with an organisation that invests in young people and builds a long-term relationship with local businesses.”
At the White Cart Co in St Mirren Brae, Kieran Bisland, 28, is receiving funding and training support as he looks to develop his dad Joe’s thriving gift shop business.
Kieran joked: “Working with my dad has its pros and cons,” adding: “The support from Invest means I will have the skills and knowledge to help run the family business, expand it further and even start out on my own.”
Joan added: “People might not realise the support that’s out there, but I would encourage them, no matter what their circumstances are, to visit us at the Russell Institute and find out how we can help them.”
For more information, visit www.investinrenfrewshire.com
If it wasn’t for Invest, I would be on the bottom rung of the ladder Tina Perrie