CLACKMANNANSHIRE councillor Bobby McGill praised Alloa’s Sportworks employment training programme’s impressive track record after five of the latest batch of 11 course members landed jobs within weeks of completing the course.

A sixth member of the course has a full time commitment as a voluntary worker with a local charity.

Sportworks combines teaching young job seekers employability skills like interview techniques and CV writing with coaching them in a wide range of sports.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust launched the programme in May, in partnership with Alloa’s Wasps Community Club, BRAG and Jobcentre Plus, with funding from the DWP.

Since then almost half, 46 per cent, of the young people who took part, are now working.

Of the latest group, one has found a post with a local construction company, another is canvassing for a home improvement organisation, a third is working at McDonalds, and two others have found posts with local voluntary organisations through Community Jobs Scotland.

Commenting Mr McGill said, “I am hugely impressed with the success of the Sportworks Programme.

“Combining sports training and employment skills has attracted young people with the drive and determination to find themselves jobs and that’s resulted in a very impressive track record.

“It’s always good to see a fresh approach to tackling the scourge of youth unemployment, especially one which includes a sporting element to encourage healthy lifestyles.” Tom McAughtrie, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust added, “Helping tackle worklessness in former mining areas is our top priority so we are delighted with the achievements of our Sportworks graduates.

“The young people have shown great enthusiasm and commitment and its good to see almost half of them reap the reward of going on to land jobs.

“It has been a real pleasure working with our partners at Wasps Community Club, Brag and Jobcentre Plus to support local youngsters in what they obviously find is a very enjoyable way to acquire the employment-clinching skills they need.” A new 8-week Sportworks course for 16 - 24 year-olds starts on September 17 with high hopes of a similar success rate.