A NEW centre offering training and opportunities to youngsters in the area has officially opened in Netherthird.

The curtain was raised on the Skills and Learning 66 (SL66) facility at the old library building next to Netherthird community Centre last week by councillor Shona Morrison, president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

SL66 is the latest project from the innovative team behind SL33 in Kilmarnock.

Cllr Shona Morrison and cllr Stephen Heddle with cllrs Douglas Reid, Jim McMahon, Maureen McKay, Neill Watts and June Kyle.Cllr Shona Morrison and cllr Stephen Heddle with cllrs Douglas Reid, Jim McMahon, Maureen McKay, Neill Watts and June Kyle. (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) Responding to identified need in the community of Netherthird, the SL66 hub team works with school senior leaders, pupil support colleagues, employers and a range of council services and local training providers to improve essential work skills of young people still at school and unemployed young people across Cumnock and the wider area.

The centre will provide opportunities, including work place learning activity, communications skills, encouraging creativity, innovation, enterprise and working effectively as a team.

By working with local employers, the team are aiming to help develop meaningful interactions with young people through work tasters, work placements, mentoring and meet the employer sessions.

They are also supporting employers to work with schools to inform the design and delivery of the careers and employability curriculum.

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council was joined at the official opening by councillors Elaine Cowan, Jim McMahon, Maureen McKay, Neill Watts and June Kyle; chief executive Eddie Fraser and chief education officer Linda McAulay-Griffiths.

Cllr Reid also welcomed COSLA president, Cllr Shona Morrison, COSLA vice president, Cllr Stephen Heddle and chief executive, Jane O'Donnell to SL66.

At the official opening the invited guests heard from three inspiring young people – Jake, Skye and Rachel – who spoke about their journey with SL33 and SL66.

Jake with Margorie Harvie and chief executive Eddie Fraser.Jake with Margorie Harvie and chief executive Eddie Fraser. (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) Jake spoke about his experience with the summer programme where he learned new skills and revealed that thanks to their support and guidance, is now studying joinery at college.

Skye started with the team in S4 and is now at college studying childcare. She spoke about how much the team care about her and encourage her to be the best she can be.

While Rachel spoke about being a single parent and the amazing support from the team, who have helped her increase her confidence, got her into training and now employment at Crosshouse hospital.

Skye gave a wonderful speech about her SL33 and SL66 journeySkye gave a wonderful speech about her SL33 and SL66 journey (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) Rachel receives a huge round of applause from the invited guestsRachel receives a huge round of applause from the invited guests (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) Speaking at the opening, Douglas Reid said: “The former Netherthird library has been completely transformed into Skills and Learning 66, an employment hub for disengaged young people.

"The local community had been regenerated by the new school, the community asset transfer of the community centre and the community garden; our building, the former library, was frankly letting the area down.

“We listened to our community and they let us know what they needed, it was then a case of getting funding in place to make the plans a reality."

The Things Tae Dae group collecting litter and meeting the COSLA team.The Things Tae Dae group collecting litter and meeting the COSLA team. (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) East Ayrshire Council's leader added: "With funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, generous support from local companies, including McConnells, and colleagues working together from across the Council; the dream of having somewhere where the young people could feel that they belonged and feel loved, fell into place.

“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved and hope that SL33 and SL66 will become a model for the rest of Scotland.

"The hub team will ensure positive routes to engagement for local young people and parents and carers, while also supporting employers to develop and offer work experience, apprenticeships and job opportunities.

“The facts speak for themselves – East Ayrshire is now in the top ten in Scotland for young people achieving positive destinations and when you consider we are also within the ten most deprived areas, it shows that we are changing lives.”

A joyful visit to Netherthird ECC where the guests were warmly welcomed by Mason, Harley, Mya, Raina, Carter and Caleb.A joyful visit to Netherthird ECC where the guests were warmly welcomed by Mason, Harley, Mya, Raina, Carter and Caleb. (Image: David Gordon/East Ayrshire Council) Following the official opening the team from COSLA visited Netherthird Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Netherthird Community Garden and Netherthird Community Centre to learn more about the partnership working taking place within the community.