The comhairle’s plan to create 40 apprenticeship positions has been welcomed.
A wide range of opportunities will be available from Barra to Ness including in business administration, community development, child care, education attainment, gaelic language assistants, heritage, human resources, sustainable resource management,sport and health, and motor mechanics.
Ealasaid MacDonald, Labour's candidate in the Western Isles, said the move is a “very positive step.”
She added: “They have chosen to invest in our young people, looking to the future and seeking to ensure our economy has the skills available which will help them, and our islands, to flourish.”
Creating skills and jobs helps to start to address depopulation which is the “biggest threat facing our islands,” she added.
“This is a model which could, and should, be adopted by other organisations.
“Workforce planning is essential as we seek to stem depopulation and create a viable and stable economy going forward.
“There are opportunities within the islands to replicate this model; wouldn't it be great to see our engineers of the future at Arnish and our health care professionals training with Western Isles Health Board.”
Mrs Macdonald said: “I am excited by this apprentice programme and I have no doubt that our young people will be too. If elected, I would be delighted to work across the islands to ensure that these opportunities are expanded.”
Welcome for comhairle's apprenticeship programme
23 May 2017