A Speyside business has won national recognition for training young workers to boost their career prospects.
Fochabers Fish Bar has been named as an “Investor in Young People” for putting staff through training schemes to win qualifications.
With most of the staff aged between 16-23 the firm has enrolled them on modern apprenticeships to enhance their prospects in later life.
Owner Darren Boothroyd said: “When I took over the business I think the staff here just saw it as a job but I wanted to give them a career.
“Doing modern apprenticeships is only going to help them in the future. When they leave the fish bar their employment chances will be boosted.
“That’s only going to be a benefit to them and the rest of Moray because having a trained workforce and retaining it in the region is essential.”
Courses and apprenticeships undertaken by the staff include hygiene, customer service and health and safety.
Sarah Medcraf, chief executive of Moray Chamber of Commerce, said: “Darren has been out to schools to show what businesses want and get skills to children.
“It really helps to bridge the gap between education and employability and show pupils the type of subjects they need to be pursuing for certain careers.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: “The business is an excellent example of developing the skills of young employees. It highlights the interest for employers to invest in training.”
