A MAGNIFICENT seven Inverclyde school pupils are swapping the classroom for the workplace after earning jobs with top employers.

The group of youngsters are celebrating after taking part in the 10th instalment of acclaimed personal development programme, The Recruit.

Since it started in 2007, the initiative has helped 96 local young people into jobs and raised over £100,000 for Ardgowan Hospice.

At a glitzy black tie finale in Greenock Town Hall on Friday night, Inverclyde Academy student Luke Stewart, 17, was crowned this year’s ‘Top Recruit’ by Provost Robert Moran — and will soon start work at Glasgow-based firm Pursuit Marketing.

But such was the calibre of candidates competing, six others have also secured posts with salaries of up to £14,000 a year.

Lucy O’Donnell will join Luke at Pursuit Marketing, Rachael Phanco joins Greenock company PG Paper, Lauren Boyce and Lorena McAulay landed jobs with UK facilities management and catering company ISS, Millie McFarlane will start work at Ardgowan Hospice and Beth McKenna is set to work for West College Scotland.

Councillor James McColgan, Inverclyde’s communities vice-convener and a former Recruit contestant, said: “I would like to congratulate all and wish them all the best for their future careers.

“I’d also like to thank the many businesses and individuals who have supported this project and who recognise the importance of supporting Inverclyde’s inspirational young people.”

The Recruit is designed to give young people an insight into the real business environment and an opportunity to see first-hand the huge variety of jobs and services of many of the programme’s partners.

The successful candidates were selected based on their overall performance, attitude, potential, personal drive, determination and employability skills throughout the four-month programme of challenges and activities.

They were tested on all their entrepreneurial skills from profit counting to marketing and branding working with companies such as RBS, Concentrix and Phoenix Cars.

Councillor McColgan, who is also Inverclyde’s young people’s champion, said: “It is a testimony to the high esteem this programme is held in that it has delivered so many opportunities for our young people. It shows that young people across Inverclyde are motivated, ambitious and ready for work.”

The full list of The Recruit 2016 winners are:
PG Paper: Rachael Phanco, 18, Notre Dame.
ISS: Lauren Boyce, 18, Port High, and Lorena McAulay, 17, Clydeview.
Pursuit Marketing: Lucy O’Donnell, 16, and Luke Stewart, 17, both Inverclyde Academy.
Ardgowan Hospice: Millie McFarlane, 16, Inverclyde Academy.
West College Scotland: Beth McKenna, 17, Port Glasgow High.