Employability Awards showcase fantastic talent

North Ayrshire Celebrates Outstanding Achievement at Annual Employability Awards

Saltcoats Town Hall played host to a powerful celebration of ambition, talent and resilience as more than 140 nominations were recognised at North Ayrshire Council’s third annual Employability Awards.

Held on Tuesday 11 November, the event shone a light on trainees, volunteers, Modern Apprentices and individuals building confidence, skills and workplace experience through the Council’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.

The ceremony coincided with Scottish Careers Week, which this year introduced a new Career Pathway Excellence category to highlight the range of opportunities available across the country.

Council Leader Marie Burns and Provost Anthea Dickson presented awards across ten categories, honouring personal journeys that reflected determination, community spirit and the impact of strong partnership working.

Councillor Burns praised the dedication on display: “It was fantastic to celebrate the achievements and working partnerships of those involved in our programmes. Every nominee and finalist has shown commitment to building a brighter future, and we are immensely proud of their progress.”

Provost Dickson added: “Meeting the finalists and winners was truly inspiring. Their stories are a reminder of how accessible and life-changing employability support can be. Our teams and partners do a remarkable job all year round, and this event captures the heart of that work.”

Award Winners

Progression into Work – Louise Morrison

Louise, a lone parent to twins, joined the Skills for Life Facilities and Janitorial Programme in summer. A placement at Ardrossan Academy aligned perfectly with her family’s needs, and within three months she secured sustainable employment with the catering team at St Matthew’s Academy, demonstrating determination and excellent organisation.

Outstanding Team Member – Ronan Leask

Ronan moved from having no work experience to working and living at Auchrannie Resort on Arran. His confidence and skills have grown rapidly in the resort’s busy brasserie, earning outstanding customer feedback and a Team Member of the Month award from among 175 colleagues.

Outstanding Effort – Rachel Walker

Facing low confidence, anxiety and limited work experience, Rachel turned to CEIS Ayrshire for support. After receiving help with interview preparation and building a strong CV, she secured a permanent café role in Irvine and now volunteers with Cancer Research UK while also becoming a Brownie Leader.

Placement Champion – John Macleod

Seeking a flexible role to support his responsibilities as a dad, John secured a placement with CEIS Ayrshire through a Council recruitment event. When the placement ended, he was offered a permanent post and now leads a systems improvement project focused on modernising workplace practices.

Volunteer of the Year – Tammie Gallagher

Described as a “Your Next Move Wonder Woman”, Tammie joined the ‘We Work For Families’ Parent Group before completing Scottish Centre for Personal Safety instructor training. She now delivers personal safety sessions across North Ayrshire and has been recognised for her commitment, growth and passion.

Employer Recognition – RPS (PUBS) Ltd

RPS has forged a strong partnership with the Employability team, providing opportunities for young people facing significant barriers to work. So far, eight participants have progressed into meaningful employment through placements at the Eglinton Inn in Beith and Kilty’s in Kilwinning. Company director Ross Stevenson is widely praised for his supportive and inclusive approach.

Modern Apprentice of the Year – Lewis Hughes

Lewis secured his apprenticeship with the Council’s Streetscene team after a successful six-month placement. He has excelled in his role, overcoming challenges linked to ADHD and anxiety to become a skilled and confident young worker.

Achiever of the Year – William McHardy

William was referred to the Employability Mentor Programme through the Council’s Criminal Justice team. Keen to move into construction, he completed a key Health and Safety certificate with excellent results and is now equipped to begin his new career path.

Young Achiever of the Year – Ben Gibson

Living with cerebral palsy, Ben joined CEIS Ayrshire in 2024 and completed a Customer Service qualification and weekly employability sessions. After a successful placement with Irvine Sports Club, he secured a full-time role at BPO Collections in Ardrossan.

Career Pathway Excellence – Alyn Aitchison

Alyn sought a fresh start after health challenges in a care role. Volunteering with the EQUAL SES community garden led to a six-month traineeship and a National Progression Award in Horticulture. He later secured paid work experience with Booth Welsh in Irvine and now works there full time.

North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service continues to support people across the region by offering training, mentoring, work experience and tailored career support through the Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme. The service works alongside partners including We Work For Families and CEIS Ayrshire.

Anyone wishing to get involved or access support can contact the team at employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or follow Working North Ayrshire on Facebook for updates and opportunities.