The Recruit

Teenagers across Renfrewshire are curremtly taking part in an 'Apprentice'-style competition to win one of a series of jobs with local organisations.

The fifth and sixth year pupils hail from a variety of Renfrewshire secondary schools and take part in Renfrewshire Council's Summer Programme.

The Recruit will see the successful candidates working in teams to take part in a series of business challenges before the final interview stage, after which the winners will be named at a black tie finale.

The Recruit is returning after it proved to be a huge success when it ran for the first time in Renfrewshire in 2010.
 
St Mirren are delighted to support this innovative programme including the recent kitchen challenge with David Van Zanten as well as asking the 5 groups to source, cost and plan a sand pit area at the club's 1st team training ground.
 
The sand pit will be used for training, prehab and rehabilitation for players at the training base.

Seven young people who took part in last year's Recruit ended up with full time jobs with a local firms and organisations and several more gained vital work experience and training to further their careers and education.

Lindsay Byrne, from Paisley, got a job with Cosmopolitan Hotels. She said: "The Recruit process was like nothing I have experienced before and nothing like I expected it to be. I met amazing people and I am so proud to say I was part of the first ever Renfrewshire 'Recruit'. It has benefitted me in so many ways."

The project aims to give young people practical experience and advice on starting a career in business.

SarahJane Sarkhosh, from Renfrew, was named Top Recruit in 2010 and went to work with local firm KDS.

She said: "I knew nothing about business so working with all the local employers was a unique learning experience. I genuinely couldn't recommend it any more, you learn so much about yourself and gives you the confidence to aim for the top!"

The project is being run by Renfrewshire Council with the support of a number of local businesses, and community planning partner organisations.

The Recruits at Ralston training ground