Eight young people from across Edinburgh have completed a six-month pre-apprenticeship programme, with six going straight into employment following their training. 

The eight young people join almost 180 who have graduated from Port of Leith Housing Association's (PoLHA) training programme Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL).

Among those to graduate at an event at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith was 22-year-old Shraddha Kolhatkar of Wester Hailes. Shraddha had spent a year working as a cleaner as she struggled to find work she wanted to do. She got a customer services placement at an Audi car garage and has now secured full-time employment there.

Shraddha said:

"Like a lot of young people, I struggled to find a job. The TOiL programme really helped me and I think it is a good thing for young people and for employers."

The young people were presented with their certificates by entrepreneur and Leither Sir Tom Farmer at the ceremony attended by employers, stakeholders of the programme, young people and proud friends and family members.

Sir Tom Farmer said:

"I was surprised a housing association does this sort of work with young people, that they were taking young people and trying to help them and encourage them, making them ready to work. This is a fantastic branch to PoLHA."

Another trainee graduating was Sammy Oakes, 16. Sammy completed an administration placement with Ark Housing Association and she now plans to move to Spain to work in telesales. She said:

"When I left school I couldn't find a job I wanted, I wanted to find something that would be a career. This placement was really good."

Other trainees graduating on December 6 were  17-year-old Daniel Alexander who did a catering placement with Out of the Blue Drill Hall Cafe; Rhys Boyle, 17, who did joinery with Aden Trade Specialists and who has now been offered a six-month contract with them; Rachel Henderson, 17, who joined Sammy in an administration placement with Ark Housing Association; Steph Scott who joined the TOiL team at PoLHA and who has now been offered a clerical assistant post; Jordan Taylor, 17, did an administration placement with Bookspeed and has been offered a full-time position; and Jamie Todd, 17, who completed a painting and decorating placement with MITIE and has been offered an apprenticeship.

PoLHA's TOiL programme has been running for five years and 70% of participants move into sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further education after the six-month placement.

PoLHA Chairman Jack Hunter who presided over the graduation's proceedings said:

"TOiL provides valuable work opportunities to young people in Edinburgh with a variety of valued partner organisations. Our trainees have access to support and a holistic approach is used supporting those that need it most.

"Last month the Government announced that overall unemployment in the UK reached a 20-year peak and unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds exceeded 1 million. There has never been a more important time for TOiL."