BUDDING businessmen and women from Inverclyde secondary schools are on the crest of a wave following a successful challenge at Kip Marina.

Candidates involved in this year's Recruit programme set sail for the Inverkip harbour for their latest task, which was launched in The Chartroom bar and restaurant.

There are 31 bright young men and women taking part in the 2019 instalment of the youth enterprise competition, which is based on hit TV show The Apprentice starring Lord Alan Sugar and guarantees at least one full-time job with a starting salary of at least £14,000.

There could be as many as six posts up for grabs for hopefuls taking part in the thirteenth annual edition of the Inverclyde Council programme and the candidates went all out during their latest business challenge in Inverkip.

They were split into teams and tasked with studying the harbour and its facilities before producing promotional videos showcasing what the site has to offer, specifically aimed at younger age groups.

The contestants also delivered a presentation in front of their peers and a panel of judges featuring The Recruit's own Lord Sugar, Robert Lamb, marina master Heath Gairns and Kip's marketing manager, Kevin Blamire, on behalf of The Chartroom.

Heath said: "The candidates were of a very high standard. "They some really good ideas and we were very impressed."

A winning team was chosen on the day but another will be crowned based on whose film receives the most views on the Kip Marina Facebook page.

Kip Marina is among several businesses from Inverclyde and outwith the area backing the successful programme, which has representatives from all six local secondary schools who are in either S5 or S6.

Seven new organisations are on board this year - ScotRail, Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, Cloch Housing Association and partners MPS Construction, Succession Wealth, NHS Education for Scotland and Accelalpha.

Whilst one job is guaranteed for the winner, there could be as many as six positions in total on offer through Inverclyde Council, Royal Bank of Scotland, KBS Engineering, Pursuit Marketing, Cloch HA and MPS Construction.

The 2019 edition of The Recruit runs until the middle of August featuring various business-related tasks, challenges and team-building exercises.

The winners will be announced at a black tie dinner in Port Glasgow Town Hall on Friday August 16.