A new course tackling the skills shortage in the engineering industry has been launched in an East Ayrshire school.

Loudoun Academy and Ayrshire College will collaborate on the project, which is said to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

The course will lead to a level five Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) and is backed by 11 different companies which will each take responsibility for an individual pupil.

Each company will offer mentoring, guidance and experience on how to be successful in the sector.

Pupils will study in the classroom at school and the businesses play a role in helping drive the subject content by linking it directly to the skills they need in new recruits.

The initiative will deliver pupils who are industry-ready, with work experience, a qualification and the necessary grounding to hit their employer's floor running.

East Ayrshire Council's cabinet member for economy and skills Fiona Campbell, said: "This initiative is the first of its kind in Scotland and I'm delighted that today's first cohort of young people will meet their business mentors, college and university staff.

"It's taken us a year of planning to get to this point and the initiative builds on positive and meaningful discussions with local employers, Ayrshire College and Strathclyde University, all aimed at securing pathways into engineering for our young people

"It is underpinned by recommendations in Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, published by the government, and we also considered information on labour market trends in East Ayrshire."

She added: "Importantly, we listened closely to employers, recognising the chronic shortage of skilled engineers locally and nationally, and we have designed the course to be wholly sustainable for the future, bringing together the commitment of the school, employers, parents, pupil, college and university.

"Pulling all of this together, Loudoun Academy has adapted the curriculum to benefit young people interested in an engineering career, in such a way that they are ready, skilled and equipped to meet the demands of their chosen career from the moment their journey begins."