TWO of Clackmannanshire Council's former modern apprentices have become the faces of a recruitment campaign aimed at encouraging more young people to take up the opportunity. 

Leigh Sneddon and Ryan Douglas appear on publicity material aimed at getting more young people to kick start their careers with a modern apprenticeship. 

In 2008, Leigh started with the council as a modern apprentice with Social Services Child Care. 

Over the years she gained experience in a number of different services and achieved her SVQ Level 2 and 3 in Business and Administration. 

Whilst working in Social Services Child Care, Leigh gained an insight into the work done within the Residential Childcare Homes and realised that this was the area of work she wanted to move into. 

Leigh initially volunteered within the home and, through dedication and hard work, she was successful in gaining a part-time position as a Residential Childcare Officer. 

The Tullibody resident combines this position with her administrative role within Social Services Child Care and is currently studying towards her HNC in Social Care and an SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care. 

She said: "The modern apprenticeship offers a wide range of office experience whilst gaining an SVQ Level 3 in Business Administration, equivalent to HNC level, and getting paid for it too.

"I knew it was the only way for me to get a good secure job as it allows you to move around and apply for other jobs within the council. Would definitely recommend the modern apprenticeship programme as it has helped me get to where I am today." 

Ryan was a former head boy at Alva Academy and although he had the qualifications to go to university, he chose to do a modern apprenticeship instead. 

On completion, he was successful in securing a job as a governance support assistant within the council's democracy team. 

He has since progressed along his career path and is now working as the patient experience co-ordinator for the Scottish Ambulance Service. 

Ryan said: "My Modern Apprenticeship was the best move I ever made. The council has a great process for ensuring apprentices get to experience as much as possible and help widen your horizons to future opportunities. 

"I have certainly learned many skills from my apprenticeship, met many great people, seen and done some awesome things and gained work based, relevant qualifications which helped me secure two jobs so far." 

Modern apprenticeship opportunities will be coming up in future months in Waste Management and Facilities Management. 

The council traditionally recruits a small number of craft apprentices each year and the recruitment for the next intake in August should start around February/March. 

All opportunities in the council are advertised on the shared recruitment portal for all public sector bodies - www.myjobscotland.gov.uk - as well as being promoted through the council's Facebook page. 

Please contact Kate Smith on 01259 225191 or at ksmith3@clacks.gov.uk for more information.