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Top trainee highlighted during Legacy Week.

The value of 2014’s top sporting events to the skills and employability of Scotland’s young women and men has been has been underlined as part of the third national Legacy Week.

Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing met Lewis Hepburn, a beneficiary of the Scotland’s Best programme, now employed at SSE in Perth.

Scotland’s Best, delivered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), is one of over 50 national Commonwealth Games' Legacy Programmes that gave over a thousand young people the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience to help them get, stay and progress in education, further training or employment.

Lewis came into Scotland’s Best through Barnardo’s and was able to volunteer at Gleneagles during the Ryder Cup, with his experiences there helping him with team building skills.

Ms Ewing said:

“Young people have been at the heart of legacy and I am delighted that Scotland’s Best was able to support over a thousand young women and men ensuring that they and the organisations they have been involved with are key to sustaining legacy beyond the Games.

“The example of Lewis Hepburn is one of many genuine success stories from around the country and I am very pleased to see him bringing his experience and enthusiasm to one of Scotland’s key businesses.

“The Scottish Government continues to work with partners to deliver employment and training opportunities which will benefit our next generation, providing young people across Scotland with unparalleled opportunities to develop their skills, making a positive contribution to their future.”

Lewis Hepburn added:

“When I first arrived on the work programme I was in SSE’s validation team for around four months before I was offered an interview for a job in the sales department. I was successful and I am now about to go into my sales training. What I love about working at SSE is that you are a valued member of a team and everyone has great confidence in you to do well.

“Months and months of not working can be disheartening for a young person. Barnardo’s Works basically put an arm round my shoulder by giving me the opportunity of getting the job at SSE. I firmly believe every young person should get involved in the programme as it is a fantastic opportunity for getting people back into work.”

Gary Hamilton, SSE’s Technical Training Manager, also said:

“Since we started our successful partnership with Barnardo’s in 2008 we have helped nearly 200 young people develop their skills and increase their chances of full time employment.

“The Scotland’s Best programme enabled us to continue this work and I’m delighted that more than half of the young people we’ve supported have secured permanent jobs with us – a true testament to the success of the scheme.”

Catherine Thomas, SDS Relationship Development Executive, who led the programme, said:

“Lewis is a great example of a young person who has used the valuable training and skills he gained while volunteering through the Scotland’s Best programme to move on to a job.

“He is one of many young people who have completed the Scotland’s Best programme, received a qualification and gone on to employment, further training or education. It is also good to recognise the commitment of employers like SSE who are supporting young people from the programme into employment.”

Tommy McDade, Assistant Director for Employment, Training and Skill Scotland and Northern Ireland for Barnardo’s, says the charity welcomes the support shown by SSE. He added:

“This programme provides a great platform for local young people to gain valuable work experience and improve their skills for the world of work.

“This partnership between SSE and Barnardo’s Works has helped transform the lives of many young people who have been only too willing to make the most of the opportunity provided.”