Renfrewshire’s Top Recruits are revealed

A group of young Renfrewshire people were revealed as job winners at a glittering ceremony to mark the conclusion of a popular youth employment programme.

The finale of the summer edition of The Recruit took place at Paisley Town Hall in front of a crowd of invited guests and proud parents.

The Recruit is loosely based on TV favourite The Apprentice and sees young people compete through a series of business-based challenges.

This year’s saw two versions of the programme – one for S5/6 school leavers and one for unemployed young people aged between 18 and 24.

Two young people were crowned as the Top Recruits on the night, with Ryan Barbour (S5/6) and Deanna O’Connor (18-24s) walking away with the top awards.

There was also a Recruit’s Choice award, chosen by the young people themselves, which went to Rachael Fletcher and Mark Brown.

In total, 17 young people secured jobs or training opportunities at organisations including Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Leisure, A&B Blinds, Crazy Capers childcare and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan, who welcomed guests to the ceremony, said: “Helping young people find work is one of our biggest priorities.

“Over the past four years, the Recruit has helped boost the job prospects of almost 200 local young people.

“You only have to listen to the stories of some of those who have passed through it to see the positive effect the programme has had on them.”

Councillor Roy Glen, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Economy and Jobs Policy Board, added: “Once again, the Recruits were a credit to themselves and to the area, and through their hard work they have earned the opportunities presented to them.

“I would like to thank all the companies who helped support the programme by running challenges and offering their expertise, and look forward to working with them again in the future.”

The full list of job winners was as follows: David Paterson and Paige Barr (client support assistants, Renfrewshire Council); Mark Brown and Craig Woods (leisure assistants, Renfrewshire Leisure); Chloe Swordy (modern apprenticeship, Renfrewshire Council); Vanessa Young (administrator, A&B blinds); Calum Breslin (management trainee, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce); Chelsie McCool (Crazy Capers childcare).

Another six Recruits – Shannon Boyle, Michael Campbell, Mateusz Hadjecki, Andrew Cunningham, Ryan Blair, and Deanna O’Connor, all received public-sector traineeships with Renfrewshire Council.

A further three young people managed to secure employment elsewhere while on the programme: Christopher Baillie, Connor Smith and Connor MacDonald.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X