A new café has opened at a Lanarkshire business premises to extend its successful partenership with the supported employment project.
The facility at Volvo in Motherwell, which has now opened its doors for breakfasts, is staffed by young people from the North Lanarkshire Council work initiative alongside job coaches.
It allows participants in the programme, who have disabilities or are facing barriers to employment, to gain hands-on experience for future roles in the hospitality and catering industries.
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Council leader Jordan Linden visited the new café as part of a tour of the Volvo premises, where he met award-winning employee Rhys Dingwall.
The 19-year-old took up a placement through the supported employment No Limits scheme last year after leaving Buchanan High in his hometown of Coatbridge.
He was recently named young person of the year at the annual awards run by the Centre for Engineering, Education and Development, and has secured a permanent role with the employer.
Councillor Linden said: “I really enjoyed my visit and seeing and hearing first hand how our supported enterprise service is transforming lives across North Lanarkshire.
“The service provides vital support to young people who face barriers finding employment and helps them every step of the way; it was great to speak to Rhys and hear about his path to finding a job and watch him at work.
“We can’t achieve these successes alone – it’s a real partnership effort.
“Volvo is an excellent example of a business that’s committed to supporting people in its community and I’d encourage more businesses to get involved in providing brighter futures for our young people.”
Supported enterprise manager Donella Duff called the new training café at Volvo an “excellent opportunity” and said: “It aims to create training and development opportunities for the people we support on our various programmes, enabling them to develop and enhance their skills within a real working environment.
“Our team is dedicated to supporting young people, many of whom are still in school, to gain the skills and experience they need to find work and we’re creating pathways, opening doors to employment and providing secure futures.”
Karen Anne Duffy of Volvo, who has been involved with the supported enterprise partnership since it began more than five years ago, added: “There are no limits to what people are capable of.
“Seeing the progress that Rhys has made over the past year has been incredible and we’re delighted to be able to support him through an apprenticeship and watch his career take off.”
More information for businesses interested in joining the scheme is available by emailing mckeeg@northlan.gov.uk.
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