As of Monday, March 30, North Ayrshire Council is advertising 46 Modern Apprentice vacancies for young people to take advantage of.

The programme, aimed at 16-19-year-olds living in North Ayrshire, is designed to provide young people with the opportunity to learn key skills through work and training to kick start their career.

The vacancies are live on the MyJobScotland website as of Monday and will close on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

The programme offers young people a gateway to a future profession. Apprenticeships from a varied selection of fields are available, including housing, professional cookery, digital marketing, traditional options such as business administration and customer services as well as more unique options such as countryside ranger and horticulture.

There will also be one health and social care vacancy, which is open to young people, aged 20-24-years-old only.

Despite being in the midst of COVID-19, the council believes it is important to plan for the future and promote opportunities for young people who may be leaving school this summer and looking for their first step into training and or work.

Councillor Alex Gallagher, cabinet member for economy, said: “Our young adults have faced cancellation of exams and school closures and will no doubt be worried about the future.

“As a result, we have decided to advertise Modern Apprenticeship opportunities as planned. Young people will have an extended period to complete applications this year due to the situation. Appropriate recruitment plans will be subject to change and to accommodate COVID-19 government guidance. We are planning that those that are successful in securing a Modern Apprentice placement would start later this year.

“We want to make clear our commitment to creating opportunities for our young people, as soon as possible.”

Over the last three years, the council has welcomed 240 young people into its workforce through its Modern Apprentices programme.

For more information about the council’s modern apprenticeship programme email: MAEnquiriesEG@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or call 01294 324940 where you can leave a message for a call back.

All of the modern apprenticeships are advertised on www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/north-ayrshire-council .

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