TWO Forth Valley school pupils have recently gained invaluable life experience thanks to a new initiative.

As part of the Forth Valley Career Ready initiative, which links schools with employers, Ochil View recently provided a paid internship opportunity to two local school pupils who, for a period of four weeks, gained valuable "real life" experience of working in the social sector.

Jennifer McNeil and Kiera McMahon who are pupils at St Modan's High School and Alloa Academy, respectively, were mentored by Ochil View employees Ailsa Buchanan and Kate Oliver.

During their time with the Association the pupils experienced a variety of roles including void house inspections, estate management visits and front line customer service as well as undertaking various administrative tasks and attending a range of meetings with tenants groups and staff.

For "the project" which they were required to complete as part of their internship they were also responsible for administering the association's 30th anniversary communications with tenants.

On her experience, Kiera said: "I enjoyed my four weeks at the office and getting to know everyone.

"I also liked going to void houses because I found it interesting to see the condition some tenants left their houses in."