Young people in Scotland are beginning their careers with the help of the charity Sistema Scotland.
Sistema Scotland, which operates the Big Noise music and social change programme, has been offering Modern Apprenticeships to individuals who have grown up with the programme since 2022.
So far, three Modern Apprentices have taken part, all having joined Big Noise as primary school children in their first centre in Raploch, Stirling.
Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland's chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to see how our young people are developing into mature, confident individuals who are capable of pursuing their chosen career.
"We take a really holistic, long-term approach to transforming our communities, and helping young people to take their first steps on the career ladder is a really important way we tackle poverty in the long term."
The charity has employed 21 young people who participated in Big Noise in roles such as cover and support staff, as well as interns and Modern Apprentices.
Sistema Scotland also offered six summer internships to young people in Raploch, Govanhill, and Torry as they prepare to leave school, giving them vital workplace experience and skills.
These initiatives, alongside CV writing workshops and work experience programmes, are designed to help young people prepare for life beyond school.
Ethan Galloway, 20, who has been part of the modern apprenticeship programme for three months, said: "I'm only three months into my Modern Apprenticeship, but in that short time, I think that my communication skills have really improved.
"I struggled with a lot of things as a kid, such as anxiety, but Big Noise pushed me out of my comfort zone just enough and in just the right ways that I actually started to develop some skills like relationship-building and developing confidence in myself."
Victoria Tuckerson,16, started taking part in Big Noise Torry in primary two and was part of the summer internship programme at the centre.
She said: "The internship gave me some really important experience working with young people and younger children, and it gave me some experience dealing with situations in the classroom.
"It's also really helped me with my confidence and helped me understand a bit about what work life is like."
Frazer Grant, 23, joined Big Noise Raploch at the age of six.
After completing an HND in sound production, Frazer took on a role with Sistema Scotland as an HR & admin modern apprentice.
He said: "Working at Sistema Scotland really helped me develop my professional skills and helped me get confidence in trying something new."
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