West Lothian Council is seeking to encourage more young women to apply for its construction apprenticeship schemes.

The local authority said that while the scheme attracts hundreds of applicants each year, women are "greatly underrepresented".

It is understood the number of female trades apprentices working for the council is still small compared to males.

In an effort to boost numbers, a number of girls from Whitburn Academy and St. Kentigern's Academy recently attended workshops and information sessions organised by the council's Housing, Construction and Building Services. The pupils took part in various workshops, including Plastering, Electrical, Joinery, Painting, Plumbing and Bricklaying.

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Building Services Manager, Grant Taylor said: "The service has a number of roles for young people and we are keen that more young women apply for apprenticeships. 

"We have had fantastic female apprentices in the past and our programme offers first class training and employment opportunities for young people each year. 

"In the past, a job within construction was seen by many as a 'man's job' but that is simply not the case anymore. There is absolutely no reason why a young woman cannot work and thrive as a trades apprentice – but we need more girls to recognise the opportunities that are open to them within this area of work. 

"We would encourage young women to look at what roles are available and to apply when the vacancies go live online in March."

(LM)