Motivational speaker Brian Costello addressed over 80 of the council’s young trainees and set them on the path to further success at the event held in the Denny Civic Theatre to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

The motivational talk was followed by group workshops focusing on each apprentices’ career and offering advice and support on setting goals, building and maintaining rapport and achieving ambitions.

Councillor Kath Ryall, convener of corporate services, said: “This was a fantastic event and builds on the council’s major support for apprenticeships. We recognise the valuable contribution young trainees make to our workforce and this will event was all about saying thank you and helping them progress.

“We have invested heavily in creating apprenticeships within the council and intend to continue to do so. Last year we created a number of new apprenticeships including within our IT department and we intend to extend this further during 2015/2016This with further new opportunities on offer.”

Scottish Apprenticeship Week highlights the benefits apprenticeships bring to businesses, individuals and the economy.

Every year hundreds of young people apply for the council’s Modern Apprenticeships. Last year over 60 new Modern Apprentices were welcomed into West Dunbartonshire Council and plans are in place to recruit similar numbers this year.

The new recruits aged 16 to 24, will learn skills including administration, care, horticulture and construction crafts such as joinery.

They will earn a wage as well as receiving training and learning new skills while working towards either a Level 2 or 3 Scottish Vocational Qualification.

In addition the council also helped school pupils to access apprenticeships and provided support to small businesses in the area to recruit apprentices.

Councillor Tommy Rainey, depute convener of corporate services, added: “We are delighted to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Youth unemployment continues to be an issue in West Dunbartonshire. Apprenticeships are a first step on the career ladder, providing vital work experience and training to allow young people to be successful.”

The council also liaises with companies and businesses to advertise recruitment opportunities and apprenticeships to secondary school pupils and offers interview support to both pupils and firms. Events are held annually in conjunction with businesses in the area’s high schools to raise awareness of modern apprenticeships.