North Lanarkshire youngsters are getting vital work experience thanks to a new cafe based in Newhouse.
Councillor Ayeshah Khan, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise and Fair Work Committee, met young people gaining hands-on work experience at a cafe at Volvo Truck’s Newhouse site.
Sunnyside Café is run by the company and the council’s Supported Enterprise Service, providing breakfasts and lunches for Volvo staff.
Launched in 2022, it provides training in a real working environment to senior phase pupils with additional support needs, care experienced young people and young people with disabilities alongside Supported Employment job coaches.
The café plays a key role in the delivery of the council’s No Limits programme for young people with additional support needs as they move from school to employment ,and is part funded by the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee.
No Limits works with a number of employers across North Lanarkshire and provides young people with up to a year’s paid work experience.
“I was delighted to meet the young people here. They are inspiring and really enjoy the fact that they gain hands-on experience for future roles in the hospitality and catering industries, as well as qualifications that future employers will expect from job applicants,” Councillor Khan said.
“I’m also delighted to see our local employers increasing the diversity of their workforces.”
A key priority for the council is to prepare young people for their future career pathways and for the transition into the world of work. This initiative is an excellent example of our ambitious Developing the Young Workforce Delivery Plan in action.
This venture is the latest collaboration between the council’s Employability Team and Volvo, in line with the company’s aim to have a diversity-rich workforce, which represents the communities they operate within.
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