TWO young people have started work as youth work apprentices at an Alloa youth charity this month. 

Connect Alloa is a youth group that aims to tackle loneliness in young people from P7 age up to nineteen years old.

Andrew Bryson and Maryk Malkiewicz are taking on their new roles as part of the Hatch programme run by Youth Scotland in conjunction with UK Youth and KFC. 

Dave Crozier, charity founder and project leader at Connect Alloa, said: “It’s a chance for them to see the world of work.”

Young people on the programme take part in three days of employment skills workshops that support them in applying for employment.

After the training, the young people will start a paid work experience placement with KFC or another provider.

Andrew and Maryk will be completing their work experience with Connect Alloa. The placement will last for four weeks and they will work sixteen hours a week. 

Dave added: “It’s a really good opportunity for us to support our young people and to let them see what working life is like. They’ve taken that extra step and taken that extra responsibility.

“It kind of lets them see the reality of youth work and all the work that goes on behind the scenes.”