YOUNG people across West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde are being invited to take on the Scottish Apprenticeship Challenge.

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) West is urging local apprentice employers and apprentices to get involved to make a difference in their area.

The Scottish Apprenticeship Challenge, supported by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), will see groups of apprentices take on projects to benefit their local community.

The challenge is open to teams of apprentices or individual apprentices from any sector – from construction to hospitality and engineering to ICT and Digital – either from the private or public sector.

Projects can be anything from supporting local schools or community projects to charity work.

The challenge aims to create community benefits, build community engagement and raise the profile of apprenticeships at a local and national level.

Bob Davidson, DYW West programme director said: “The Scottish Apprenticeship Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to develop their skills while supporting their local communities.

“It’s also a great way for employers to showcase their support for apprenticeships.”

SDS director of national training programmes, Katie Hutton, said: “More and more young people are choosing apprenticeships and work-based learning to get their careers off to a great start.

“Three quarters of employers say apprentices improved their productivity and nine out of 10 would recommend apprentices to their industry.”

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce has run the area’s highly successful Modern Apprenticeship Challenge project for 14 years.

Last year’s winners included GE Caledonian who scooped the prize for Best Presentation.

GE Caledonian apprentice mentor Stephen McNab said: “For any businesses who are considering entering the challenge absolutely go for it. The challenge is a fantastic opportunity to develop employee skills.

“It is definitely worthwhile, the young people get excellent exposure they wouldn’t normally get and as individuals it helps to develop them and is a social commitment to the community.”

Apprentices and apprentice employers interested in the challenge should visit www.dywwest.co.uk/news to find out more and to register.

Please note registration closes on Friday, June 30.

To find out more about the challenge visit www.apprenticeships.scot/challenge.