YOUNG people in Cumnock who are looking for work are being urged to make a note in their diary for a recruitment fair in the town next month.

The event is being organised by the 'Future Skills' jobs and training scheme at East Ayrshire Council (EAC).

The team behind the event is hoping to build on the success of the scheme - which has helped more than 100 people take steps up the career ladder in its first year.

In the 12 months since the scheme was approved by EAC's cabinet, 65 Modern Apprentices and 17 graduate interns have joined council services, while 27 have joined local businesses, with another seven due to start shortly. 

A further 33 young people have joined the council’s Modern Apprenticeship scheme through existing routes.

Further work will take place to support people with disailities and those from a career background to make their steps into employment.

The Cumnock recruitment fair will be held at Cumnock Town Hall on Tuesday, March 21,

Hailing the success of the scheme, Councillor Claire Maitland said: "The creation of this jobs and training scheme, run by the new Future Skills team, has enabled us to offer a whole new raft of opportunities in areas such as catering, horticulture, business admin, digital, graphic design, data science and analytics, and community-led regeneration.

“The Future Skills Team also works in partnership with the education, skills and learning hub, SL33, to offer enhanced support and mentoring for people with disabilities and from care experienced backgrounds to ease their path into work.

“And we’re not stopping there. We’re currently looking to recruit a further 10 Modern Apprentices.

"During the next year we’re hoping to add another 55 training posts so we can build a bright future for both our council and all the talented people who work with us now and in times to come.”

A recruitment fair will also be held in Kilmarnock's Grand Hall on March 16.