A LIFELINE has been thrown to six unemployed men and women after they all said they wanted the chance of being trained for a job.

Bosses at Glacier Energy Services Engineering recruited all six as part of an expansion which has seen the firm increase its workforce by more than 50%.

The company, which operates in the international oilfield services sector, offered opportunities to jobless residents in Glasgow's East End in partnership with regeneration chiefs at Clyde Gateway and Jobs & Business Glasgow.

It has now recruited Sean Shankly, 26, Christopher Burns, 24, Dean Brannigan, 21, Stuart Campbell, 26, David Weir, 23, and 22-year-old Gemma Sullivan as trainees.

Some will be taught welding, while others will receive training in production management or administrative.

Glacier chiefs have also hired 10 qualified staff since the firm moved its Central Scotland base from Motherwell, South Lanarkshire, to the East End when the firm became the first business to move to the new Clyde Gateway East industrial estate in London Road.

This means the workforce has increased from 28 to 44.

Trainee welder Dean Brannigan from Bridgeton is relishing being in work. He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity and we are all extremely grateful to have the chance to make a career for ourselves in engineering which didn't seem possible before."

Glacier managing director George Leggate said: "These six young people really impressed us with their enthusiasm and are already working as part of the team."

He added: "We are recruiting across all areas of our business."

The recruitment drive was welcomed by Clyde Gateway, and by Jobs & Business Glasgow, which supports jobseekers in the city.

eveningtimes.co.uk