A NAIL bar has opened up at Carrick Academy to help pupils gain employability skills.

Bellezza Nail Bar is set to help youngsters gain, not only confidence, but people and communication skills to help them in future employment.

South Ayrshire Council has been working with the Prince’s Trust and Developing Young Workforce Ayrshire (DYW) to put the nail bar in place.

Cllr William Grant, lifelong learning portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “These projects are ideal as they dovetail nicely with learning already taking place in the classroom.

“It’s a competitive jobs market so we need to do all we can to prepare young people for life beyond school and the nail bar could prove invaluable as the beauty industry is crying out for trained staff.

“Dealing with people and developing customer skills is also a key ambition as it encourages confidence and will make the working environment a bit more familiar.

“A lot of hard work has gone into setting up the nail bar and the bike repair hub and I would like to thank everyone involved.”

Claire Baird, DYW Ayrshire Project Executive, added: “Developing Young Workforce Ayrshire is delighted to support this Carrick Academy innovative school project in collaboration with the Prince’s Trust Scotland, South Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire College.

“We believe that the Bellezza project will significantly assist in the development of employability skills known as soft skills in the young people taking part in this project.”

Walter Smith Prince’s Trust Ayrshire said: “There is a strong need to develop confidence in our young people and give them the ability to interact with adults in preparation for joining the workforce.

“We are extremely confident that Bellezza will deliver this confidence and help prepare the young people for the world. 

“It was great to get funding support from the Cash Back for Kids programme.”