A young Lanarkshire IT manager has been named a star employee in the UK Government's Young People Awards for his outstanding performance at work.
Myles Oliver, from East Kilbride, found success in his role on the AI team at local biotech company, Angel Guard, after being hired via the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) Kickstart Scheme.
More than 163,000 young jobseekers nationwide have secured job opportunities through the scheme to date, which was set up during the pandemic to help those aged 16-24 into work.
As part of the AI team, Myles was tasked with creating a new programme and worked at pace to improve and increase their coding capabilities.
His bosses were so impressed with his ground-breaking work in creating a whole new way of programming, they offered him a permanent role and Myles is now working as a manager in the IT department.
Myles told Lanarkshire Live : "While working at Angel Guard I’ve picked up new skills in coding, scientific research and management, which have allowed me to develop technology to save lives and begin mentoring Kickstarters new to the scheme.
"I’m excited to keep growing alongside the business and see where my experience gained through Kickstart will take me.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, said: “Warmest congratulations to Myles on this well-deserved award.
"Not only being offered a permanent role, but also being made a manager, is very impressive."
The DWP’s Kickstart scheme has helped over 14,000 young people in Scotland to secure their first career step.
The scheme has worked with hundreds of employers eager to take on new talent, helping them create six-month paid-for roles, so young people affected by the pandemic could get the vital work experience they needed.
Kickstart has also been a crucial help to businesses during the pandemic, with many keeping young people on in permanent roles including through apprenticeships.
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