Arnold Clark awards young people with apprenticeships at GTG training, as youth unemployment hits record
As youth unemployment between the ages of 16-24 hit a record 20.5%, with nearly one million school leavers and graduates out of work, there are growing fears of a generation lost to worklessness1. The Office for National statistics confirmed there were 75,000 people aged 18 to 24 who have not had a job for two years, an increase of 43% on a year ago.
In view of this, ten young people from Glasgow have been awarded a modern apprenticeship with the Arnold Clark Group after completing a six-week course with the car giant, GTG Training and The Prince’s Trust Scotland. The Prince’s Trust Scotland has helped more than 60,000 young people gain skills and find work since 1976, and continues to support 100 more young people every day across the UK. The Trust works with 14 to 25 year olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
The young people were selected by The Trust for its Get into Cars course which ran from 27th June to 26th July. A celebration event was held at GTG Training centre, where the young apprentices undertook their training, to mark their success and the start of their new careers.
Kenneth Imrie, Head of Programme Delivery at The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said “I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the young people who have succeeded on this course and in turn succeeded on turning their lives around. Get into Cars is one of our most successful programmes, with the vast majority of young people moving into modern apprenticeships which will set them up with a trade for life.
“We are very proud of the success of the course, the young people and the partnership with the Arnold Clark Group and GTG Training.”
The course offers young people the opportunity to learn basic motor mechanic skills, as well as receiving workshops from The Prince’s Trust on confidence, motivation, CV building and interview skills.
Sir Arnold Clark said, “I am a passionate believer that safeguarding Scotland’s future rests on one thing – investment in our people. Providing them with skills, knowledge and experience they need to succeed will equip them with the necessary tools to create a successful society.”
“I would like to congratulate all the Prince’s Trust students who have worked hard to gain a Modern Apprenticeship.”
Baillie Liz Cameron, Executive member for Development and Regeneration, Glasgow City Council attended the event and commented, “I am absolutely delighted for these young people and what they have achieved. Arnold Clark is the leading employer within the motor vehicle industry and their commitment to the City and its young people is a shining example to all. I am proud that the Council continues to work in partnership with the Prince’s Trust to develop and deliver this innovative project to increase employment opportunities for our young people.”
