A NEW project to help young people get jobs has launched in East Renfrewshire.

A total of £400,000 has been invested into the Young Enterprise Scotland Academy at Rouken Glen Park, which officially opened its doors.

Run by operation manager James Ward, who also manages Albion ­Rovers FC, the centre ­includes five new training and classroom areas to train young people through vocational and modern apprenticeship programmes.

A range of different courses are on offer at the centre, which is run by Young Enterprise Scotland on behalf of East Renfrewshire Council.

It will deliver a wide range of training through vocational and modern apprenticeship programmes and aims to ­address gaps in training provision to help young people into sustainable employment.

There will also be volunteering opportunities and work experience to set residents on the road to the jobs market.

Since it first started last year, more than 500 young people have been involved with different programmes and initiatives.

Trainees and staff from the academy invited guests for the official opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Two young trainees Ryan McDonald and Mark Horan were given a surprise in front of invited guests when they were told that both of them are to be taken on by the Academy as Modern Apprentices.

James Ward said: "We have created an environment which stimulates learning through doing and offers an opportunity to young people of all levels to grow at their own pace and fulfil their potential.

"Having now navigated our way through the first six months, the Academy is now looking at areas of new development and potential new working partnerships. The YES Academy is where everything is possible."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk