Inverclyde trainees are building a future

The trio secured an 18-month placement with the company through national charity Action for Children Scotland, which works with  young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds.

During the placement, the trainees will earn a wage while they learn and, after successfully completing the work placement and gaining a professional qualification, will be offered a permanent position with the company.

The trio told the Tele they are all enjoying working, not only with the company, but towards a qualification.

Shaun Cox, 19, who is almost six months into his placement, said: “It’s great to be able to work towards a professional qualification while also earning a living. 

“The work is varied and interesting.”

Kenny Shand, 21, said: “It’s a great work environment and one of the best things about this placement is gaining a qualification at the end of it.”

Lewis Anderson, 22, was previously in the army air corps but had to leave due to medical reasons.

Concerned about what he would do next, the placement has given him a career path to follow.

He said: “I feel I have a path and I’m no longer worried for the future. At the moment I’m learning things like how to draw floor plans and how to identify the age of buildings we’re working with. Each day is different and I’m excited by the prospect of gaining a professional qualification.”

Darren McDermott, managing director of McDermott Group, said: “Too many young people in Scotland are leaving school with little or no qualifications and are struggling to get on the career ladder as a result. 

“That is why we decided to work with Action for Children Scotland and give young people, who may have had an unconventional start in life, a helping hand onto a rewarding career path.”

The McDermott Group is also supporting a literacy course for trainees that have left school with little or no qualifications to teach them basic skills in reading and writing.