Young people throughout the Western Isles can succeed in their search for jobs by taking part in Skillseekers courses, which enable those aged 16-25 to gain both work experience and qualifications.

"The opportunity for practical job training is one that can be essential for building a successful working life," said Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of Western Isles Enterprise (WIE), which manages the training programme.

One recent example is 17 year old Louise Walker of Lochboisdale, who is now working in the village's branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland.  She left Sgoil Lionacleit at the age of 16, preferring to seek work rather than stay on at school to do Higher exams.

From a careers advisor, she heard about the training provided by the Uist and Barra Training Programme based in Balivanich.  Programme leader, Pat Gillies has provided training through the programme since 1993, helping a range of young people achieve valuable qualifications and practical work experience.  Skillseekers participants also include youngsters who want to get work experience and a practical qualification between leaving school and going to university.

Pat explained: "Whatever the person's eventual aim is, the Skillseekers programme gives them a good background when starting to look for a full-time job."

For Louise, the programme involved studying one day a week to get her Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 2 in Using Information Technology, while getting work experience four days each week with a local fish hatchery company.

Louise had already been taught aspects of administration, accounting and finance at school and the SVQ work included studying word processing and the use of spreadsheets.

After achieving the qualification last year, she was able to get a job as a customer service officer with the Royal Bank of Scotland and is now one of the staff who operates the mobile bank throughout Uist.

Lochboisdale branch manager Christabel Mackinnon: "It is not easy to get a job with the bank because potential employees need to demonstrate a range of personal qualities as well as qualifications.  These include being strong-minded and happy to deal face-to-face with customers in a confident way.

"Now that Louise is a member of staff with the Royal Bank of Scotland, she will benefit from the company's own training programmes."

Louise said: "I've really enjoyed the Skillseekers programme and I'm enjoying my work at the bank.  It's great."

Donnie Macaulay added: "It is vital for young people to build up a range of skills in order to take up the various work opportunities which are available throughout the islands."

Skillseekers is a training programme for 16-25 year olds, which incorporates Modern Apprenticeships.  It gives young people direct experience of work in the occupation of their choice as well as helping them achieve practical qualifications.

For more information on Skillseekers or adult learning contact WIE on tel: 01851 703703.