A SUCCESSFUL football-based training programme has helped over 40 unemployed young people kick on into work or training in the last year.

It has been another productive 12 months for Street League Inverclyde, which runs out of Lady Octavia Sports Centre in Greenock.

Over 60 out-of-work young men and women aged between 16 and 24 have taken part in courses during the last year with more than 40 of them moving on into employment, training or further education.

Football is used as an incentive to get people involved and also keeps them active in between working on their social, interview and CV writing skills with expert coaches before applying for jobs, placements and courses.

Glenn Thomson runs the Inverclyde programme with colleague Nathan MacAllister and says it has been a goal-den year.

Glenn, from Greenock, said: "Since April 2017 we've worked with over 60 people and moved more than 40 into something, whether that's a job, further education, an apprenticeship or training.

"We're really pleased with that.

"We've worked with people from across Inverclyde with the youngest being 16 and the oldest 24, and in the coming year we're increasing the age range up to 29.

"We have established good links with a number of local employers and over the last 12 months we've worked closely with Concentrix in Gourock, who have taken on a lot of our young people.

"The Waterfront Cinema has also been excellent with us and we've established a customer service course with them.

"We're constantly recruiting for participants and anyone aged 16 to 29 who is unemployed and in need of support with job searching or who just wants to build their confidence can get in touch."

One of the programme graduates is Colin McIver, who is 18 and from Greenock.

He was at a loose end after being in residential care and Street Leagues helped him onto a sport and fitness course at West College Scotland's Waterfront Campus.

Colin, who still attends for a weekly kickabout, said: "I want to be a sports coach and maybe even set up my own football team and coach it.

"Street Leagues has helped me communicate better and to meet people and make new friends by coming here on a Friday to play football.

"It's helped me do something with my life."

Waterfront Cinema manager John Cunningham has witnessed the benefits of the programme first-hand.

He said: "We are delighted to work in partnership with Street League, which we see is a benefit to not only the young adults of Inverclyde but the community as a whole."

For more information about Street League Inverclyde contact Glenn on 07584 504969 or email glenn.thomson@streetleague.co.uk