HOOPS stars Patrick Roberts and Callum McGregor were at Celtic Park on Thursday to celebrate the graduation of this year’s Magners Employability Project.

Delivered by Celtic FC Foundation and Tennent’s Training Academy (TTA), the sector-specific project aims to support long-term unemployed adults to get back into work.

During the 12-week project, participants take part in front and back-of-house hospitality training, CV and employability workshops, health and fitness classes and industry-based work experience at the likes of the Jurys Inn Hotel and Ashton Lane’s Jinty McGuinty’s.

The 2016 project follows on from the success of last year’s inaugural Magners Employability Project, where 10 of 12 graduates went on to gain employment or further education as a result of their involvement.

Of this year’s participants, several are already at interview stage or have been offered employment.

As part of the project, the graduation ceremony is organised by the participants and the events team at Celtic Park. Hoops legend Tom Boyd was also in attendance to congratulate the hard work put in by all those involved in the project.

The project is funded by Celtic sponsor, Magners, through the ‘Goals for Charity’ initiative, with the sponsor having donated financially to Celtic FC Foundation for every goal scored by the club in the 2015/16 season.

Colin Bodie, 20, Participant on the Magners Employability Project 2016 said: “This has been a fantastic project to have been part of. I’ve had the opportunity to try various aspects of the hospitality industry and find out which areas I enjoy the most.

“The project has helped me to grow in confidence and we’ve all become good friends over the last 12 weeks. After having been unemployed for several months, I’ve now been offered two jobs because of the project so I’ve got a tough decision to make now.”

Head of Sponsorship for Magners and PR for the TTA, George Kyle said: “By working with Celtic FC Foundation and the TTA, the Magners Employability Project has helped to make a positive impact on the lives of the participants for the second year in a row.

“The fact that several of the candidates are already at interview stages, or have been offered employment, shows that the hard work of the participants and those delivering the project is paying off. Congratulations to everyone involved this year.

Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation, added: “Magners continue to be the perfect partner for us. They understand what’s important and what we’re trying to do to help people, which makes them great to work with

“The participants on this project have benefited once again from certified training delivered at Tennent’s Training Academy. The experience and skills that the Academy staff offer, along with our own employability team, has helped support the 12 participants achieve some fantastic outcomes and gain a variety of qualifications that will continue to serve them in their future.”

General Manager of Jinty McGuinty’s in Glasgow, Caroline Wright said: “Denise from the Magners Employability Project was exceptional when she came in for her work experience. It was clear her training through the project had helped hugely as she was so confident behind the bar.

“I could leave her to it when I had other things to do and she took to it like a duck to water. I’ve no doubt Denise will go on to do well and gain employment in the hospitality industry now that she has completed the project.

“The Magners Employability Project does such great work and we’d be delighted to take on any future work experience candidates involved in it. We wish all of this year’s graduates the best of luck as they move on to seek full-time employment.”

Nicola Logan, HR Manager of Jurys Inn Hotel Glasgow, said:“We have taken many candidates for work experience from The Magners Employability Project. The candidates are always very dedicated to their roles within the hotel and have such a great work ethic.

“The team always speak very highly of the Magners Placement Graduate Students, It is a fantastic programme that provides the candidates with key qualifications and experience for the hospitality industry and I am sure they will have much success in their future endeavours.’’