Ross is living the high life

Elaine Grundy Elaine Bowers - 1635 • Published 29 Feb 2008 16:30 0 Comments

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FORMER Notre Dame pupil Ross McWilliams is living the high life after winning a dream job in the innovative Recruit programme, created by local enterprise development officer Robert Lamb. Today, the 18-year-old trainee accountant tells ELAINE BOWERS how The Recruit changed his life...

JUST months after leaving school, talented Ross McWilliams is fully mobile, having splashed his first Recruit wages on a new car.

The ambitious teenager has been working as a trainee accountant at Milne Craig in Paisley since the autumn, when he beat off tough competition to win a £18,000-a-year job contract in a contest designed to test the business potential of school pupils throughout Inverclyde.

Ross says he owes everything to enterprise development officer Robert Lamb, who created the programme - loosely based on the TV show The Apprentice - as a way of finding the business leaders of the future.

Ross, who lives in Roxburgh Way, Greenock, said: 'The recruit programme has ultimately changed my life for the better.

'I think it is an amazing scheme to have for the young adults in Inverclyde. I am speaking as a product of this amazing programme and I would always encourage people to take part in it.'

Ross"s new job involves preparing accounts for small businesses and tax returns for directors of large companies and sole traders - and he has just completed the tax return of a Lisbon Lion.

He told the Tele: 'I come in and start work at 9am. I have my own desk and I work on a client"s accounts, or prepare their tax returns. We have tea and coffee at 10.30am and then I continue with work. Lunch is at 1pm and lasts until 2. I then continue with work until 5pm when I finish.'

He added: 'My job is harder and working life is different from what I expected - mainly because I have to get up early in the morning.'

Ross is quite happy to admit work is proving to be a real learning curve. He said: 'My toughest challenge was when my boss was getting on at me about the time it was taking me to clear review points on files. I had to take on board advice from him, and other colleagues, in order not to make the same mistakes and learn from them.'

Like all young people starting out on the career ladder, Ross is enjoying the freedom that comes with having a monthly wage. Another highlight of the week is the apple pie that is shared by the tax department every Friday.

Ross said: 'My first wage was spent on my insurance for my new car, a Vauxhall Corsa. I hate having to part with cash and the £1,100 for my insurance was a real blow. I bought a new silver Corsa and a few new suits.

'My social life has changed so much. I have to admit that I don"t get to see my girlfriend, or friends, as much as I would like. But when I do see them it is great, and we have a good night out.'

Ross said every person he has spoken to about The Recruit has said they would have liked such a scheme to have been available when they were young.

Ross said: 'The highlight of my job so far was the Christmas party. You get to see people in a whole new light outside of work. Especially with a free bar.

'At the Christmas party I was wearing a kilt. I came into the office and bent down to pick up something when one of my colleagues shouted: "You"d better not bend over too far son". My face turned bright red and I hid for a while.'

As everyone who works knows, it can be difficult finding enthusiasm for all tasks and Ross is no exception. He said: 'The worst thing about my job is the fact that it can sometimes be very boring and the day feels like a week of work. Also, the fact I have to get up earlier and that my social life is disrupted as a result.'

However, the pros easily outweigh the cons, and Ross is already impressing the powers-that-be.

He told the Tele: 'My proudest work achievement was when I moved down to the tax department and the partner told me he would like to keep me as I was a hard worker and he had good comments from my colleagues about me.

'At the end of the year, if I don"t get kept on at Milne Craig, I will probably go to uni, or try and get another accountancy job.'

Ross may still be just 18 but he is already thinking of his long-term future. He said: 'My goal is to make enough money to support the family and children I hope to have - and that their futures will be well funded. I aim to become a director of a company, or a partner in a large firm, but mainly I aim to find a job I love doing, as money isn"t everything.

Like all of the seven winners, Ross is keen to encourage school pupils to enter The Recruit 2008.

He said: 'My advice to people this year would be to have the determination right from the start that you could win one of the jobs.

'Never forget the goal you are trying to achieve. Stick in. It"s hard work, but it"s worth it.'

Ross added: 'My favourite recruit memory would be when we presented Robert Lamb and Jackie Fallon, the enterprise development officers, with a present from The Recruits. If it wasn"t for them, I would not have the money available that I do at this point. I owe everything to them.'

Of course, some of Ross"s memories of The Recruit challenges were more favourable than others.

He said: 'My least favourite memory would be when we were given £200 to set up a business and make a profit and only 15 people turned up for our charity night.'

When he is not working, Ross plays football for Greenock Juniors Under 19s and he is planning to join Greenock Golf Club this year.

He said: 'The Recruit has been a life-changing experience and I would encourage anyone who enjoys a challenge and the rewards to apply. I would like to thank Robert Lamb, Jackie Fallon, Jan Cannon and Kerr Nicol for all their hard work. Cheers guys.'

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 29 Feb 08

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