Our Workforce for the Future strategy is creating many new Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Apprenticeships, Traineeships, and Paid Work Experience placements for 16-24 year olds in East Lothian.
As a result of the work of East Lothian Works (the council’s Employability and Business Support Service), eight Modern Apprentices have recently been recruited into the council. The new recruits are working in a range of different departments, including HR, Payroll, Revenues, Transport and Waste, and school offices. These young people are gaining new skills and experiences that will benefit them when they progress further in their careers, and improving their confidence as they go.
These places are able to be offered to local young people through recovery funds from both the UK and Scottish Government, focusing on supporting a range of people into employment. The focus is on creating roles in line with Skills Development Scotland’s Regional Skills Assessment.
East Lothian Council is also currently hosting 14 paid placements as part of the Kickstart initiative. These individuals are working with departments such as the Countryside Rangers, Protective Services, East Lothian Works, Transport and Waste.
Perspective and talent
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Economic Development, said:
“East Lothian Works plays a vital role in helping people fulfil their career goals, developing new and existing skills, and helping to grow local businesses.
“As we seek to focus increasingly on recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, our Workforce for the Future strategy is incredibly exciting. In the first instance, the team at East Lothian Works have been working with council departments to identify opportunities within their service areas, and to provide information and guidance to access funding. This includes salary subsidies for Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Internships, Traineeships and Paid Work Experience.”
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education and Children’s Services, added:
“The council can benefit greatly from the insight, perspective and talent of young people embarking on their career journey. The experience of joining one of our teams gives young people an opportunity to learn, make an important contribution to the community and gain invaluable experience which will help them achieve their workplace goals.”
There are other job opportunities in the pipeline for interested individuals, with a number of roles currently being advertised at being advertised at Jobs | East Lothian Council | myjobscotland