YOUNG street cleaners are being recruited by Fife Council in a step to get people into work.

Trainees have the opportunity to gain nationally-recognised qualifications as part of the Waste Collection and Street Cleaning Training Academy, which is open to people who have never been employed.

Fife Council says it is committed to improving the local environment and keeping Fife’s streets, parks and open spaces clean, while these posts recognise that local employment and investment in young people is essential to help the region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councillor Ross Vettraino, convenor of the council’s environment and protective services sub-committee, said: “Recruits will be employed for an initial period of six months, during which time they will undergo practical and theoretical training in waste collection and street-cleansing.

“At the end of the course, not only will they possess the necessary practical skills associated with environmental cleansing, they will also have a formal qualification in associated skills such as customer care, manual handling, road safety and environmental protection.

“In common with those who have already graduated from the academy, those graduating from the new intake will be prime candidates for being offered permanent employment within the council.

“They will make a huge difference to the council’s ability to tackle the backlog in street-cleaning and in restoring environmental standards across Fife.

“Their skills in both waste collection and street-cleaning will enhance the versatility of the workforce.”

John Rodigan, senior manager, environment & building services, Fife Council, added: “At Fife Council, we pride ourselves on our investment in our young workforce.

“We recognise the challenges of an ageing workforce, skill shortages in key roles and the need to support the local economy through employment.”

Anyone who is interested in joining the academy should enquire via their local job centre.