Wednesday, 20 July 2005 12:59

New recruits, Laura Cameron and Shona Strachan hold very special positions in Argyll and Bute Council. They represent the first intake of management trainees under a new council initiative called “Growing Our Own”.

The new scheme targets young local graduates and school leavers and offers them the opportunity to join a two year training programme in local government and to experience a wide range of jobs that are carried out within the council.

Councillor Robin Banks, Depute Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said, “All too often, we find ourselves struggling to recruit people who know the area and the challenges it presents, to key management posts in the council, whilst at the same time, we are losing talented young people to jobs elsewhere.

“Growing Our Own” is designed to attract young people from the area into local government, allowing them to remain living locally whilst pursuing a rewarding and worthwhile career.”

Laura, from Lochgilphead, holds a management degree. She said, “I am really pleased that I have been chosen to take part in this scheme. It is a brilliant way of gaining experience in local government and seeing first hand how it operates.”

Shona,who hails from Portincaple on the Rosneath Peninsula and has a degree in politics was equally enthusiastic. “This is an excellent opportunity to work with the council in the area I grew up in. I am looking forward to learning about the decision making process in local government.”

In the first instance, Laura will be based with the council’s Community Services and Shona with Development Services.

Over the next year the council is progressing to Phase 2 of Growing Our Own when it will target High Schools within Argyll and Bute to promote the career opportunities available within the Council.