ESSENTIALS Plus Training Academy in Saltcoats recently held their sixth and final graduation of 2017.

A total of 12 graduates passed several subjects in both their childcare and horticulture courses.

Pictured with the most recent trainee graduates are, Managing Director Marianne Greenway, Training Manager Christine Powell, Team Leader for ACS John Gallacher and Patricia Gibson MP who presented the certificates.

Also in attendance at the awards were Liz and Valerie, two Skills Development Scotland employees, who fund the Employability Fund training.

One of the graduates pictured is John Fitzpatrick who has gained employment with his placement employer of Greenways Community Gardening after completing his Horticulture training.

The standard of referrals to the training coming from their partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions, extended outreach and North Ayrshire Education Dept at Auchenharvie Academy is very high, and they have to debate long and hard who will get the places.

Managing Director Marianne Greenway stated: “Yet again we have had a great group of trainees who threw themselves into the course work.

“The horticulture course has evolved, taking a more community approach to practical experience our trainees receive. Ayrshire Childrens Services new Skills and Play Centre due to open next year for disabled children and young people will hopefully be offering positions to several of the graduates.”

The childcare trainees have all shown great promise and will continue to receive support they need to gain suitable positions.

Training Manager Christine Powell said: “I am overwhelmed by the effort that our trainees put into their time with us. The support we get from local companies coming in to speak to our trainees and advising them of vacancies is outstanding.”

If you wish to come and train with us in either horticulture, landscaping or childcare please call 01294 601974 for more details, 93 per cent of those who made that call in 2017 are now in work.