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Celtic star turns apprentice

To help celebrate Scottish Apprentice Week 2013  Bertie Auld , former Celtic Footballer and Lisbon Lion joined North Lanarkshire Council's  housing repairs and maintenance provider  Mears  and spent the day working as an apprentice.

Bertie started the day by carrying out a spot of painting at St Andrew's hospice shop in Coatbridge. He was joined by Deputy Leader of North Lanarkshire Council Jim Smith, some of Mears existing fifty five  apprentices and Katie Mulgrew,  Director of Fundraising at the hospice.

Bertie then joined North Lanarkshire Council Leader James McCabe , Chief Executive Gavin Whitefield, Councillors  David Stocks, David Fagan and Harry Curran at North Lanarkshire Council's Head Quarters in Motherwell.

Councillor Harry Curran, the council's Youth Ambassador, said: "We are determined to get young people into work and our partnership with Mears is vital to these efforts. We are investing £15million in our Youth Investment Programme and have set an ambitious target of getting 5,000 young people into work. This has never been more important given youth unemployment is at unprecedented levels."

Colin Middlemass, Managing Director from Mears added: "Apprentices play an essential part in our business, and it is vital that they continue to receive support and funding from companies and the government. I would like to thank our Supply Chain Partners Martin Howie and Buildbase for providing ongoing support to our Apprentice Projects."

To finish his apprenticeship taster day Bertie joined a community project in Holehills , Airdrie. The Life Skills project was organised by local Councillor Sophia Coyle in partnership with Mears and North Lanarkshire Council. The three day painting, decorating and tiling trade taster gives young adults practical experience and an opportunity to improve their skills as well as the chance to find out more about becoming a Mears Apprentice.

Councillor Sophia Coyle commented "I would like to thank Mears and their new Apprentice Bertie, plus Betty and  Anne from  Airdrie Housing Department for making this possible. The group all loved taking part, it was a worthwhile project and I loved working with all those involved.  A Special thank you also for the local business who supported the project by supplying lunch, Airdrie McDonalds, Airdrie Health Fruit and Grains shop and Premier Petersburn".

 

 

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