Successful Inverclyde employability programme The Recruit is back after a two-year absence offering secondary school pupils the chance to earn a contract worth up to £14,000.

Inspired by the hit TV series ‘The Apprentice’, the Inverclyde Council-run initiative gives fifth and sixth-year pupils the chance to build their confidence and develop skills to equip them for the workplace.

The Recruit, which launched in 2007, is an extra-curricular programme which sees 35 students from across schools in Inverclyde competing for the chance to win an employment contract with a starting salary of up to £14,000.

Aside from providing one student with a fantastic career opportunity, the project aims to enhance the employment prospects of all participants by helping them develop the skills necessary to succeed in business.

As in previous years, other jobs may become available via the programme.

Students who participate are selected following a recruitment campaign with applications now being accepted for the 2022 instalment of The Recruit starting in April.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, depute leader of Inverclyde Council and convener of education and communities, said: “This programme has a successful track record in developing our talented young people and giving them valuable experience of business and the world of work in general.

“While nearly 120 pupils have gained jobs at the end of the process over the years, The Recruit has also proven to be hugely beneficial to those who have not secured a contract and set them up to enjoy successful careers later in life.

“I’m delighted that The Recruit is back after a two-year absence because of the pandemic and it will be great to see the candidates back out and about again getting stuck into the various challenges and tasks as they build their knowledge and confidence over the coming weeks and months.”

In completing an application, students are encouraged to use their imagination and ‘think outside the box’.

The Recruit runs from April to August and is completely extra-curricular taking place in the evenings, weekends and during the Easter and summer holidays.

The successful candidates form groups and undertake tasks and challenges which focus on developing their potential, confidence building, enhancing their employability skills, raising their awareness of business opportunities and raising expectations.

Local businesses and West College Scotland support the programme and provide additional resources and expertise as part of their ‘in kind’ contribution.

The Recruit has run in Inverclyde for 13 years and to date, 117 young people have secured employment.

This year the programme’s main sponsor is Diodes Inc, which has a plant in Greenock.

Application forms and more information is available online at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/therecruit.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23rd March 2022 at 12 noon and completed applications can be sent by email to jackie.fallon@inverclyde.gov.uk or by post to Jackie Fallon, Development Officer, Enterprise Centre, Port Glasgow Community Campus, Kilmacolm Road, Port Glasgow, PA14 6PP.