ARA has created the programme to enable the service to develop its own employees by providing full training and thereafter a roadworker position.

Open to school leavers/employability pathways, seasonal workers and foundation apprentices upon leaving school, trainees would be required to sign up to the training programme and repay any training costs if they decided to leave within two years.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance already supports foundation apprenticeships, modern apprenticeships, trainee and graduate programmes across the service and these further education opportunities are also open to roadworkers. There is also a seasonal employment initiative that was developed in partnership with Greener Communities to provide continuous employment carrying out grass cutting, winter gritting and drainage works as well as the opportunity to obtain an HGV license.

Councillor Jim McMahon, cabinet spokesperson for housing, transport and communities, said: “We’ve developed this training programme in order to address the recruitment challenges that we’ve been facing as well as the fact that we have an ageing workforce. We want to build our capacity from within and develop a career pathway that will support a younger workforce within Ayrshire Roads Alliance.

“We hope to see many successful young people completing the programme and gaining permanent employment with ARA.”