Run by Inverclyde Council, The Recruit is a personal development programme aimed at equipping school leavers with a broad knowledge of professional life. From business challenges to trade days, the range of activities they take part in allows participants to gain an insight into different sectors and learn what knowledge and skills are required for each one.

In collaboration with West College Scotland, July’s challenge days gave recruits the chance to experience college life. Wallpapering, roof tiling, plumbing and brickwork were all tasks which were undertaken on the trades day, with the business day centering around building a balloon chair, touring the college’s busiest departments and creating a poster for a new course at West College Scotland.

Recruits were placed into six teams for the business challenges, and each team was allocated a leader. Points were awarded for each of the three challenges, with the overall winning team being the one with the most points at the end of the day. Whether a part of the winning team or not, all participants had the chance to showcase, and build, their skills in teamwork, communication, creativity and decision-making.

The overall consensus was that the day was a success for all, with the recruits enjoying the challenges and relishing in the chance to experience college life and all that is involved.

A big thank you goes to the following people, without whom this experience would not have been possible:

• Paul Lynn, Curriculum Quality Leader in Construction at WCS Greenock
• Lorna McNulty, Senior Curriculum Administrator, Faculty of Business & Technologies at WCS Greenock
• Liz Connelly, Vice Principal at WCS
• Peter Pringle, Assistant Principal at WCS
• Inverclyde Council
• This year’s recruits