More than 20 new apprentices have joined the City of Edinburgh Council's housing service team.

The 22 trainees aged between 16 – 24 will gain new skills in a variety of services and achieve industry-recognised qualifications, while also working towards a career in housing.

The positions have been created as part of the Edinburgh Guarantee, which aims to support young people into employment training or further education.

After being welcomed to the City Chambers by Housing and Economy Convener Gavin Barrie and Vice Convener Lezley Marion Cameron, the new recruits were introduced to the housing senior management team and they heard from previous apprentices about their experiences and the opportunities available to them in their future careers.

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They were then briefed on the work of the housing service before being taken on a bus tour to see first-hand the work in action, including new council homes under construction.

Cllr Gavin Barrie said: "It was fantastic to meet our new apprentices. The Housing Service is uniquely placed to develop a sustainable pathway for young people to have a career in housing with the Council coalition and partners committed to building 20,000 new affordable homes over the next 10 years."

Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron said: "I was delighted to meet and learn directly from our new Housing Service apprentices about their own career aspirations - especially how much they value the opportunity to learn new skills and valuable work experience and also how they are looking forward to playing their part with Housing Service colleagues to deliver our ambitious, and much needed, housing building programme."

Housing Assistant apprentice, Chelsea Wilson, added: "I found the induction day really interesting. I enjoyed seeing the work going on throughout the city especially the transformation of some of the sites I know well, like Leith Fort.

"It was great to see how the tasks I do and projects I'll be involved with during my apprenticeship will fit in to the much wider housing service."

Image credit: City of Edinburgh Council.

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