EVOLUTION Skatepark in Stevenston has just recruited Scotland’s first ever Extreme Sports Modern Apprentice.

Lewis Somerville is an extreme skateboarder and is taking part in the Modern Apprenticeship scheme as part of a Leisure Management qualification.

The 19-year-old is originally from Saltcoats but moved to Tennessee at a young age. He moved back to North Ayrshire in his teens and spent his last few years of school at Auchenharvie Academy.

Lewis said that the most exciting part about working in extreme sports was “to be able to see and help kids of all different backgrounds and ages progress in these sports, and to see the sports progress themselves”.

He added: “I am excited about my role and it will be good to show others that you can go forward in all fields of the leisure industry.”

Funded by Skills Development Scotland, Modern Apprenticeships help employers to develop their workforce by training new staff and enhancing the skills of existing employees.

For Modern Apprentices, the scheme allows them to earn a wage and gain an industry-recognised qualification.

Debby Behan, park manager at Evolution Skatepark, told the Herald: “Lewis is the first Extreme Sports Modern Apprentice in Scotland ever.

“He came in last year with Galloway Training and worked with us for nine months. Unfortunately he was paid off because of the winter and there was no work for him.

“Then we were approached by the Modern Apprenticeship scheme to see if there was anyone we could recommend and immediately we thought of Lewis. They pay half the wages so it meant that we could keep Lewis on. It came just at the right time.”