The achievements of young people from the Western Isles, who have completed their training through the Skillseekers programme, are to be officially recognised at a 'graduation ceremony' this Friday (1st December).

The event will be attended by local MSP, and Deputy Minister for the Highlands and Islands, Alasdair Morrison. He will present the Skillseekers with specially commissioned certificates acknowledging their success in the training courses they have undertaken.

Skillseekers is a national programmes that gives 16 to 18 years olds the chance to gain a vocational qualification while actually employed and getting valuable experience in a real workplace. It is co-ordinated locally by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE).

The graduation, which is being held in the Gaelic Drama Studio in Stornoway, will see over 17 young people receive their Skillseeker certificates, covering a wide range of skills and qualifications from hairdressing to fishing vessel operations and painting and decorating. Most of the young people have now gone on to get jobs based on their training.

Emma Oattridge gained a level 2 SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) in Travel Services through the Travel Training Company, while working with Thomas Cook travel agents in Stornoway, she said: "I felt Skillseekers was very worthwhile, it gave me the chance to earn a wage and be trained at the same time. I was able to put the training to use straight away in a real working environment, and the work experience itself was very valuable."

Speaking at the ceremony, Alasdair Morrison said: "Initiatives which help retain young people in the islands are essential. Providing opportunities for young people through Skillseekers will help address some of the challenges facing the area. The young people I have met here today illustrate the range of opportunities available in the Highlands and Islands and throughout Scotland. They demonstrate the scope for developing Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships in some of the traditional sectors of employment."

Chief executive of WIE Donnie Macaulay said: "The skillseekers programme plays an important role in giving young people two valuable opportunities, in the first place they are able to follow a wide variety of nationally recognised training courses, but at the same time they are able to get an insight into the demands of a real world work place, putting their new skills to good use. Both will stand them in good stead."

The Skillseers 2000 awards ceremony will also see a performance by specialist theatre company the Crag Rats, who will perform a play on a theme of lifelong learning.