Moray Council interns clock off
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SEVEN secondary school pupils have been introduced to the world of work at Moray Council.
Dozens of students from the region's eight secondary schools take part in the Career Ready programme – a two-year journey during which they are mentored by staff in businesses across all sectors in Moray, preparing youngsters for work by building confidence and experience.
As a major employer in the area, Moray Council staff mentor a number of pupils each year.
Interns Hollie, Kerri, Matthew, Logan, Callum, Keiron and Abbie completed a four-week internship at the council, working across departments including the chief executive’s section, planning, human resources and waste.
Council chief executive Roddy Burns said the initiative, which was piloted in Moray, had been highly successful over the last six years.
He told the pupils after a presentation as their work stint concluded: "We’ve won Scottish and UK awards and it’s all down to your ambition. What you’ve displayed this afternoon and throughout the year is a positive attitude and confidence.
"Continue to raise your ambition, aim high and continue to learn."
Chairwoman of the children and young people’s services committee, Councillor Sonya Warren, said: "This national initiative is going from strength to strength in Moray. You can see the difference in the confidence and self-esteem from the pupils at the start and end of the programme.
"Thank you to every employer in Moray who offers this valued opportunity to our young people, and if your organisation would like to get involved, we’d be delighted to hear from you."
Anne Wexelstein, Career Ready director for Scotland, said she has seen many young people enjoy the work opportunities.
She added: "They have all contributed to each business in remarkable ways. I love that the mentors who have been working with our young people have got so much out of it, too."
Other Moray employers supporting the project include: Associated Seafoods, Baxters, Brightwork, Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Edrington, Johnston Carmichael, Johnstons of Elgin, McPhersons of Aberlour, Moray College, Out of the Darkness Theatre Company, Quarriers, Ritsons, Robertson Group Ltd, Skills Development Scotland, Specsavers, Speyfruit Ltd, Strategy Cards Ltd, The Training Folk, TsiMORAY and Walkers Shortbread.
