INVERCLYDE Council's modern apprenticeship programme will have a new intake of 25 in 2021/22.

In a report ahead of the next meeting of the environment and regeneration committee, the council says that 23 of the prospective apprentices are currently progressing through recruitment, with two in life science modern apprenticeships.

Modern apprentices are paid through the council's budget, with additional funding from the Scottish Government Young Persons Guarantee and No One Left Behind scheme, an employability support service.

The council's programme is open to young people aged 16-19 years who are able to achieve a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at level 2 or 3.