Princes Trust Students Given Jobs at Arnold Clark
Competition to gain a place for a Modern Apprenticeship is fiercer than ever before as unemployment rose in Scotland to 205,000, up for the third consecutive month.
The Scottish Government who released figures last week stating that it has exceeded its target of delivering 18,500 Modern Apprentices in the past year is excellent news, however, Arnold Clark is finding that with the current reduction of Modern Apprenticeship attrition rates and the increase in the quality of applicants, some long-term unemployed groups like The Prince's Trust Scotland candidates are becoming increasingly harder to reach.
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive of Arnold Clark Automobiles, said: "Gaining employment is becoming more and more difficult with some of the hardest to reach individuals are becoming even more difficult to reach. Businesses really need to help and look at other ways to engage with this group of young people."
To combat this the Arnold Clark Group and The Prince's Trust Scotland's have run a hugely successfully ‘Get into Cars' programme that aims to create work ready candidates for businesses and to offer long-term employment and Modern Apprenticeship places to those who would normally fall out with the entry and funding requirements. However, recent applications for the third Prince's Trust Scotland ‘Get into Cars' programme saw over 400 for just 13 places on the six week course. Highlighting the demand and how much more needs to be done to reach these individuals.
Geraldine Gammell, director of The Prince's Trust Scotland, said: "The demand for this hugely popular ‘Get into' programme is testament to the chronic long-term unemployment issues facing young people today. The Prince's Trust Scotland aims to work 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, and help to find employment and a way out for this group who are so often overlooked."
The result of the recent ‘Get into Cars' programme were exceptional once again, and even in light of the current economic climate and with a charity funding deficit, Arnold Clark offered all 13 Prince's Trust Scotland candidates a Modern Apprenticeship within the Group. This is the third consecutive year whereby this hardest to reach group have all been offered either long-term employment and/or a Modern Apprenticeship within the Arnold Clark Group. To date, Arnold Clark has offered 34 Modern Apprentices through the ‘Get into Cars' initiative run in conjunction with Glasgow City Council, the European Social Fund, Skills Development Scotland, BIG Lottery Fund and the Wood Family Trust.
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive, continues: "We have now run the ‘Get into Cars' programme with The Prince's Trust Scotland for three consecutive years and it has proven to be highly successful. Our previous years' candidates are working well within the group. With our first Modern Apprentice, Ryan McKie, due to graduate in May. This really is an excellent testament of how people just need a chance in life to prove themselves."
"The candidates have shown dedication and an excellent work ethic, both during their training at GTG and their placements within the Arnold Clark Group. As one of Scotland's largest employers I am delighted to offer these jobs. Speaking from experience, I could not find employment when I left the RAF and understand how difficult it is."
"The Arnold Clark Group is delighted to be able to work with The Prince's Trust Scotland with the Get into cars programme."
Geraldine Gammell, director of The Prince's Trust Scotland, adds: "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."
The course offers young people the opportunity to learn basic motor mechanic skills , as well as receiving workshops from The Prince's Trust Scotland on confidence and motivation.
A participant on last year's course, Russell Campbell, 20, who currently works for the Arnold Clark Group, went on to win The Trust's Celebrate Success Breakthrough award in December and became the face of nationwide campaign ‘Undiscovered' which calls for the Government, the business community and individuals to support the young in their quest to become the mechanics, chefs and entrepreneurs of the future.
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.
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