AN INVERCLYDE ship repair and services firm says the tide is turning among the area's young people with more and more school leavers taking up apprenticeships.

Representatives from Dales Marine attended a jobs fair last week which attracted more than 400 people.

The firm revealed it's currently having to hire workers from Romania to fill skills gaps among the Scottish workforce - but that it hopes to tackle that by recruiting more apprentices.

Dales Marine representatives with Martin McCluskey MP at the Greenock Town Hall jobs fair. (Image: Duncan Bryceland)

The firm offers up to five places to new apprentices from the area every year and says that apprenticeships are becoming a popular alternative to university.

Charles Connaghan, health and safety advisor for the yard, said: "We have had a lot of interest as always.

"Dales Marine try to employ as many people as possible. We are are repairing Caledonian MacBrayne vessels to get them back into service we are very busy."

The apprentices taken on by Dales are trained in a range of different trades, such as engineering, fabrication, plumbing and welding.

(Image: Duncan Bryceland)

Mr Connaghan said: "There is a shortage in traditional trades. It's probably seen as a dinosaur industry with various yards closing down over the years.

"We are keen to improve improve the labour force. We offer four or five apprenticeships every year, and we have easily around 30 people working with us at different stages of their career.

"People who do a four-year engineering apprenticeship can work anywhere around the world. There is such a demand at the moment.

"We are employing Romanian staff because there is such a shortfall of skills in the local labour market."

(Image: Duncan Bryceland) Speaking after the event, Mr Connaghan said the feedback had been very positive.

"It was very busy, with school leavers looking for apprenticeships rather than university," he said.

"Sometimes, if you do get a degree, you don't get the opportunities.

"Dales offers the hands-on experience, but you go to college at the same time. We also had mature students."

The Tele caught up with a group of lads who were on the lookout for apprenticeships.

Mitchell Baird, 17, said: "I've been looking at joinery, plumbing, an electrician, mainly just a trade.

"I also spoke to the police and fire service. My dad's a policemen and my sister's boyfriend is too.

"I think apprenticeships are a good opportunity for young people."

Glen Stevenson is already doing a six-month course in construction at West College Scotland.

He said: "I'm looking for an apprenticeship or training. If you don't know people it's hard. I'm looking for anything that is hands-on.

"I'm looking at the police force or fire service. They're both good careers and they're active jobs.

"I don't want to be sitting behind a desk. Hopefully the course, gives me a bit of experience to put on my CV."