STUDENTS training for a career in the care industry met with Councillor Fiona O’Donnell to discuss the challenges of recruiting young people into some sectors of the industry.

Ms O’Donnell, East Lothian Council’s cabinet spokesperson for health and social care, visited Edinburgh College’s Care Academy to meet with students from Ross High, North Berwick and Preston Lodge high schools, who are studying there.

She said the visit helped drive home the need to work to recruit young people into social care, where they are desperately needed, by making it more appealing.

She said: “We already face a challenging situation locally recruiting people to work in social care. I have worked in the sector and know how rewarding it can be. I was able to work it round my family commitments.

“I had heard about the Care Academy and wanted to see how they are encouraging young people to get into care. I met with the students and their enthusiasm and commitment was impressive.

“The Higher course in care is proving to be an effective route into nursing. While that is good news as we also face challenges in recruiting nurses, it was clear from talking to the students they saw this as a more attractive career choice than social care.”

Ms O’Donnell said she was working to bring job seekers and care providers together at an event at Musselburgh Jobcentre in the New Year.