A GREENOCK company has won a precious contract to train 35 nursery apprentices.

Childcare Management Company (CMC) of Pottery Street secured the contract from the Skills Development Scotland organisation.

CMC is part of the same group as Enchanted Forest Nursery, which has facilities in Greenock and Inverkip as well as Erskine and Glasgow.

One of the apprentices is already at Enchanted Forest in Greenock, while the others will be placed in private nurseries throughout Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Glasgow.

The 12-month apprenticeship for 16 to 24-year-olds involves coursework as well as training in nurseries where students are visited regularly by CMC staff who carry out assessments.

CMC director Bernie Devlin, pictured, said the contract means apprentices from all across Scotland will be coming to Greenock to take the first steps in what will become real and lasting careers.

Mr Devlin said: "The fact that these vocational opportunities are within the childcare arena is a bonus, as this is a key sector moving forward.

"As a company with a first-rate track record in developing young people, we remain dedicated to offering the very best 'on the job' training and development for these young people.

"Like everyone working within the childcare sector, they will be at the forefront of shaping future generations of young Scots."

CMC employ six people in Greenock, while Enchanted Forest have 23 in Greenock and 13 in Inverkip.

News of the apprenticeships were today welcomed by Inverclyde MP Iain McKenzie during a visit to Enchanted Forest's Greenock nursery.

He said: "I was delighted to meet some of the modern apprentices at Enchanted Forest.

"As someone who started their career as an apprentice, I know first-hand how invaluable a good apprenticeship can be.

"Enchanted Forest Nurseries and the Childcare Management Company are a great example of a local firm who are working well for the people of Inverclyde by providing local childcare facilities, creating employment opportunities and providing a modern apprenticeship programme to help our young people develop a career in the childcare sector."