27 finalists will battle it out for the National Youth Worker of the Year title

The finalists of the Scottish National Youth Worker of the Year Awards have been announced.

The eighth annual awards, organised by YouthLink Scotland, are split into 10 categories with the winners to be announced at ceremony on 12 March, held at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Among those shortlisted is Callander Youth Project Trust, which has taken its café and award winning hostel and twinned it with a sustainability agenda and an employability programme for local youngsters.

Prince’s Trust, which has a variety of programmes to improve young people’s skills and job chances, has three finalists in this year’s award categories.

There is also a focus on equality of opportunity for young women, with individuals selected for their work to close the gender and inequality gap. Those selected include Sikh Sanjog, a youth programme in Leith working with ethnically diverse young women.

Right across the country in clubs and organisations, on the streets and in the great outdoors, youth workers give their time to help young people achieve their potential and be all they can be

The winners of each category will be pitted against each other with the overall winner crowned the 2015 Youth Worker of the Year.

Jim Sweeney, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: “These awards are a true celebration of our unstinting belief in our young people.

“Right across the country in clubs and organisations, on the streets and in the great outdoors, youth workers give their time to help young people achieve their potential and be all they can be.

“Youth work is a wholly positive experience that changes lives and adds to the commonwealth of Scottish society.”

The event will be hosted by broadcaster and Forth One DJ, Arlene Stuart and the awards presented by Scotland’s acting minister for children and young people, Fiona McLeod MSP.

A full shortlist is available on the YouthLink Scotland website.