North Ayrshire Council is running a successful partnership programme to help tackle rising youth unemployment.

The Future Trades Programme has been set up by the council’s employability partner CEIS Ayrshire, with funding support from the local authority and The Robertson Trust.

The aim is to address local skills shortages in the construction industry and to boost employment opportunities for young people.

Experts in the council’s employability service deliver a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme, in partnership with contracted partners.

The six-week Future Trades initiative was created to introduce young people to the construction industry.

It offers practical trade experience, relevant qualifications and tailored support, including confidence building, with the aim of supporting young people to be prepared for the workplace.

Two groups have already completed the training, and a third cohort is currently ongoing.

So far:

  • 24 young people have successfully taken part
  • Each of them benefitted from hands-on experience in trades including bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, joinery and painting & decorating
  • All 24 attained their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) for those just starting out in construction, with benefits including access to building sites and a chance to find out about available opportunities and
  • Everyone received continued one-to-one support on finding work, apprenticeships or additional training and
  • Several participants have had job interviews, work placements and employment opportunities with local employers.

“This programme has offered young people an opportunity to thrive in the construction sector by learning skills such as safe tool handling and site awareness. The support offered through our own Employability experts and partners at CEiS Ayrshire and The Robertson Trust will stand these people in good stead as they progress with their future learning and work lives. It is fantastic that we are able to give young people the tools to succeed while also helping to meet the needs of employers here in North Ayrshire. I would like to thank everyone involved – including the local businesses that donated tools, PPE and construction materials to the initiative to help make the learning enjoyable and meaningful,” said Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy.

Contributions and support from local businesses play a vital role in the success of programmes like Future Trades, and it also aligns with the council’s Community Wealth Building (CWB) economic model.

This sees wealth being retained locally by local authorities and partners increasing fair employment opportunities and using local produce and resources – and the council is considered to be leading the way in Scotland.

The Future Trades Programme supports the CWB pillar of fair employment, with a commitment to “encourage the creation of fair and meaningful jobs with progression opportunities to unlock the potential of our residents.”

Participant John Paul White, 21, said: “This is genuinely the first time I have felt confident about my skills and ready to start a job. I couldn’t have made it to this point without all the support and encouragement I have received as well as the practical training.”

New partners are needed to support the third cohort by supplying materials, tools and PPE, and also offering site visits, work experience, employment or apprenticeship opportunities.

Councillor Gurney added: “If you run a business locally and you are in a position to help, you will be helping to shape the next generation of skilled construction workers and supplying the industry with employees they desperately need.”

If you are a local employer and can offer support, or would like to find out more, please email employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk and the team will get back to you. More information about employment support for young people is available on the council’s web page.

The council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme. Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.