Four young people from Dundee and Angus celebrated securing jobs with one of the country’s top care providers at a celebratory lunch marking their achievement.

After completing a unique 9 month care apprenticeship, the young carers have secured jobs as assistant support workers with Gowrie Care.

During the apprenticeship, the care apprentices worked alongside the team at Gowrie Care, getting hands on experience in caring for people with learning disabilities and additional needs.

One of the care apprentices, Stevyn Wilkinson, 20, explained how the care course has helped him: “Before starting the apprenticeship I hadn’t had any experience involving care and I have always wanted to be in this line of work, however I was not given the chance and was struggling to get my foot in the door until I started the apprenticeship with Gowrie Care.”

Stevyn, who was working with the NHS at Ninewells Hospital before starting his apprenticeship, hopes to build on his experience in the future.

He explained: “I hope to have gained my SVQ 2 in Health and Social Care soon and, in the not too distant future, would like to apply for my SVQ 3 so that I can become a support worker.”

Stevyn was just one of four young people recruited onto the course, which included a 12 week work placement and a six month Modern Apprenticeship with Gowrie Care.

Gowrie Care area manager, Chris Robb, said: “The Care Course has been a fantastic way for us to recruit people who really care into our organisation.

“It has been great working with the apprentices, who all have bright futures ahead of them, and with our colleagues at Craigowl Communities and Dundee and Angus College; together we have created a meaningful course that has set these young people on the path to a rewarding career in care.”

The care apprentices were recruited onto the course by the Toolbox Project, part of Dundee-based employment and skills charity Craigowl Communities.

Eve Hughes, membership manager at Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, who spoke at the event in Dundee, said: “We think it’s great to see local organisations like Gowrie Care and Craigowl Communities supporting young people through a vocational path into a secure and rewarding career. We hope that many more organisations will follow this example.”

Craigowl Communities run care courses and other training opportunities across Tayside and Edinburgh, visit www.craigowl.com for more information.