YOUNG people in the Wee County are being encouraged to take advantage of free training opportunities in neighbouring Stirling to develop transferable skills.

And those who sign up to one of FVSE Community Interest Company's (CIC) "into" programmes will also get to be a part of the crew at Sruighlea, Stirling's Summer Festival.

Free places are available for up to 10 young people each on the Into Events, Into Heritage and Into Digital training courses with practical learning experiences for future employment.

FVSE CIC teamed up with Hallam Land Management and Barratt Homes to deliver the programme.

All candidates in this year's programme will finish their practical training on Saturday, August 17, at the festival, which will include creative arts, highland games as well as food and drink.

One of last year's young people, Graham, has now secured employment and said: "Before the course, I didn't have much confidence talking to people and I was anxious meeting new people.

"After the placement, I found I had confidence in talking to people and overall felt a lot happier from gaining the skills from the course."

Gary Smith, director at Hallam Land Management, spoke about his company's involvement, saying: "We have a genuine interest in projects that support communities and the development of young people, providing opportunities and increasing chances of employment.

"We are therefore delighted to get behind FVSE CIC training academy programmes that have been supporting young people in the Forth Valley area since 2014.

"I am fully behind this social enterprise's ethos of developing young people's skill set in a practical learning environment and wish everybody involved great success."

David Scott, managing director at Barratt West Scotland, added: "At Barratt Homes, we are committed to the training and development of young people across Scotland which is why we were thrilled to be involved in FVSE 'into' programmes.

"Through our own traineeship and apprenticeship programmes we can appreciate that young people learn a range of skills by being out on site, organising events and getting hands-on experience and I know that young people will really benefit from these programmes."

Anyone between 16 and 40 can contact office@fvse.org.uk or 01786 273 556 to hear more about training opportunities.