West Lothian Council have been helping local young people Get Ready for Work.

Council staff have been helping local young people prepare for the working world.

Chief executive Alex Linkston presented achievement awards recently to the first group of young people to have a completed the council's Get Ready for work programme.

The Get Ready for Work programme provides up to 26 weeks of work experience within a council department. The trainee, normally aged 16 or 17, has a staff member as workplace mentor to help support them in the workplace, so they gain the vocational skills required to be a competent and valuable employee.

Miriam Georgeson, Vocational Training Coordinator, said: ''As the largest employer in West Lothian, the council was keen to add Get Ready for Work to their existing training programmes for the young people.

''Given the current economic downturn, training and employment opportunities for young people are less available than they have been previously.

''Of the 12 young people who have completed the training programme so far, three have secured employment with the council and two have returned to education.

''This is a unique opportunity for the council to become part of the solution for these young people and help them in a very practical way to get on track to compete for jobs or more into training.''

Get Ready for Work trainee Thomas McNee spent six months with the Roads Department and has now secured employment.

He said: ''I am so much better prepared now to get a job than I was a few months ago.''

For more West Lothian Council Services wishing to know more contact Miriam Georgeson 01506 777946 or email miriam.georgeson@westlothian.gov.uk