Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA) has been named ‘Employer of the Year’ as part of the Port of Leith TOiL (Training Opportunities in Lothian) programme at a ceremony at Edinburgh City Chambers earlier this month.

The Association provided placements for two young local unemployed people and impressed organisers by its high level of commitment and effort in supporting both trainees to develop their skills and experience in a busy workplace.

The award was presented by Ben McPherson MSP and Margaret O’Conner, chair of Port of Leith Housing Association.

Last year MHA was awarded the ‘New Employer of the Year’ award, for its work with a previous trainee, Lee McEwan, so staff were delighted to build on that success. At the same event, Lee received his graduation diploma and had the honour of being interviewed on stage about his experience of being a TOiL trainee, how he was taken on as a Housing Trainee by MHA as a result and his plans for the future.

MHA chief executive, Stevie McAvoy, said: “It’s a real honour to have been given this award and we are especially delighted to have been part of such a successful project to help young people learn and develop, and showcase their talent.”