JUST weeks ago mum Lynn Connelly and teenager Ian MacLean were out of work and losing hope of ever securing a job.

Now they are among a group of seven Glasgow Housing Association tenants who are on their way to successful careers and a bright future.

They are the latest batch of recruits from a scheme run jointly by GHA and maintenance firm Connaught aimed at giving the long-term jobless a chance to learn a trade.

The seven have already completed the first part of their training with flying colours and all have now secured jobs as apprentices.

And this week the new workforce started their first task - improving other GHA homes in Glasgow communities.

Jim Sneddon, GHA's executive director of regeneration, said: "The scheme is proof that partnership working really can make a difference to people's lives.

"It's extremely satisfying to see seven GHA tenants taking advantage of the training opportunities on offer to help them into full-time work.

"It's also fitting that their new careers will begin by providing new homes for other GHA tenants."

This is the third year in a row Connaught and GHA have secured 100% employment rates with their trainees.

And it is the first time every member of a training group will be working on GHA homes.

Lynn is the only woman to have been accepted on to the training scheme - but says she's treated just like one of the boys.

The 28-year-old is a single mum to Ryan, 12, and five-year-old Lee.

Before hearing about the Connaught scheme, Lynn had been unemployed for six years.

Now she wants to throw her all into her apprenticeship so she can secure a successful future for her sons.

She said: "This training scheme is my first step to turning my life around.

"I really want to earn a living to support Ryan and Lee but the thought of going back to work was quite daunting.

"I could never sit behind a desk all day as I'm really practical so this apprenticeship is perfect for me.

"I enjoy this so much that it makes getting up in the morning easy. I'm really looking forward to getting my working life started."

Lynn, from Castlemilk, will now do a two-year apprenticeship in tiling.

Ian had been unemployed since leaving school last year - and was beginning to worry his dream of an apprenticeship would fail.

The 17-year-old had gone after dozens of jobs and was told about the Connaught scheme when he signed on for Job Seekers Allowance.

Now he will complete a four-year apprenticeship in plumbing with part-time study at Cardonald College.

Ian, from Tollcross, said: "It's really hard to get an apprenticeship and I was beginning to worry I would never get one.

"I left school at 16 because I wasn't that academic and all I've ever wanted to do is work as a tradesman and now I'm getting the chance to do that.

"It was hard leaving school last year but this training scheme has worked wonders for me."

The new trainees will help plug a skills gap in the city labour market.

The extensive 12-week training programme at Connaught's Cambuslang-based centre gives trainees a taster of a range of different trades.

ALL seven trainees were given the chance to try kitchen fitting, joinery, plumbing and ceramic wall tiling and vinyl flooring.

After a further two weeks on-the-job training with Connaught, staff pick the trade that will best suit the trainee - giving them a real chance at employment.

At the end of the programme the trainees were interviewed by Connaught and all earned jobs with the firm.

The group are all GHA tenants and will begin their new working lives by putting their skills to use in other GHA homes. Connaught has the repair and maintenance contract for GHA homes in the South Side of the city.

The apprentice project is funded by Skill to Build through Skills Development Scotland with extra cash contributed from Glasgow Housing Association.

Connaught is one of Britain's largest maintenance companies, working in social housing and the public sector.

Alan Johnston, Connaught community training and regeneration manager, said: "The Academy continues to provide an invaluable service in training mature long-term unemployed people and helping them back into work.

"We train our employees to the highest standards, ensuring there is no shortage ofskilled people in Glasgow to upgrade the homes and communities we work in across the city.

"This latest intake into the Connaught team will help deliver the major improvement programme now under way."