The five-week paid placements provide young people with practical experience to help prepare them for future employment whilst addressing workforce challenges in traditionally hard-to-recruit areas.

Placements are offered to students from across local secondary schools and colleges with individuals completing application forms and undertaking interviews. The programme runs between late June to mid-August each year in line with the school summer holidays.

Since the programme began in 2023, it has given 341 young people across North Lanarkshire an opportunity to gain essential workplace skills like teamwork, problem-solving and communication. Students have enjoyed placements in key sectors, including the Built Environment, Health & Social Care, Digital Technology, NHS Lanarkshire, external construction companies, and various council services.

Many participants have received a sessional contract with the council in services such as Health & Social Care and Active & Creative Communities. Some who were placed with external construction companies also went on to gain apprenticeships and employment.