A lifeline is being thrown to apprentices left devastated by the collapse of John M Henderson engineering.
Already one of the 13 apprentices made redundant is now back in work and hopes are high that the remaining 12 will also gain employment.
Angus was dealt a huge jobs blow on Friday with the collapse of the Arbroath heavy engineering firm and the loss of almost 90 jobs.
Angus Training Group (ATG) in Arbroath has been pulling out all the stops to assist the 13 apprentices involved.
ATG takes applications from potential apprentices and then matches them up with employers.
The company then trains the youngsters in basic engineering skills for a full year, before they go on for further training at college and finally a year of on-the-job learning.
Alan Swankie, director of ATG, said: “It’s quite devastating and it’s a lot for somebody just out of school to take on board.
“It’s going to be a difficult job to get 13 of them placed with other companies but already one apprentice has found a new job.
“He took it upon himself to go round the companies on Friday and was taken on. There are 12 remaining including five who are in their first year.
* PACE team visiting Arbroath in bid to help John M Henderson workers
“We have put out emails to companies and we’ve already had a positive response, so things are moving.
“They have had the weekend to get the bitterness out of their system and now they are looking forward to progressing their careers.
“They are all good individuals and hopefully employers will look kindly on them.”
Mr Swankie said ATG has also made a commitment to continue their training following Henderson’s collapse.
Meanwhile, the joint administrator said it will “do everything” possible to find a buyer to save the firm and 95 jobs.
Blair Nimmo of KPMG in Scotland said it is working to protect the business, maximise recoveries for creditors and help to maximise opportunities for the 95 employees.
Mr Nimmo and Geoff Jacobs of KPMG were appointed as joint administrators on Friday at the request of the company.
Mr Nimmo said: “We will do everything we can to seek a buyer who may be able to protect the business and which would maximise recoveries for creditors whilst also helping to maximise opportunities for the workforce.
“The group has a significant infrastructure comprising a large property together with heavy engineering machinery, an order book, customer base and intellectual property.
“We would encourage any party who has an interest in acquiring the group’s business and facilities to contact us as soon as possible.
“We will be working with the employees and the relevant government agencies to ensure that the full range of support is available to all those affected.
“We would like to thank the remaining staff for their cooperation during this difficult period.”
A downturn in the firm’s key markets led to reductions in orders, culminating in a significant reduction in turnover over a prolonged period.
This, combined with difficulties being experienced on large contracts, resulted in further losses being incurred, which in turn led to considerable cash flow pressure.
Six of the 95 employees have been retained on an interim basis to help in the winding-up process.
Anyone with an interest in buying the business and assets of the group should contact Geoff Jacobs on 01224 416895.