A BARRHEAD mechanic is swapping motor oil for olive oil in a bid to heat up his job prospects. Ryan Dinning, 20, from Auchenback - who recently graduated from college with his Motor Mechanics qualification - has given up trying to find work with spanners and wrenches.

Instead he is hoping to find work as a cook in order to rake in much needed money.

But Ryan - who went to Reid Kerr College in Paisley - added he is among thousands of East Renfrewshire college graduates who are struggling to find work in the middle of the worst economic recession for decades.

The News recently revealed how Barrhead and East Ren was the third worst area in the UK for jobless people chasing work. As many as 20 people are after every vacancy.

Ryan said: "I originally wanted to do mechanical engineering, but I've had absolutely no luck I've actually started applying for anything and everything, but really I'm aiming for head chef. I have been applying for cooking and catering jobs." Ryan's dramatic re-think happened after he wrote to dozens of garages but was knocked back because of his lack of experience.

He added: "Most people seem to want experience or are looking for something really specific. I just don't get how someone is supposed to get experience if no one will take you on. They have to run out of people with experience at some point."

Ryan's job hopes remain on the boil and he believes young people should take whatever chances are given them.

He added: "I think people should settle for any job at the moment till they get a chance to do what they want in life. It keeps the money rolling in."

Barrhead graduate Jennifer Lovett, 22, from the Cross Stobs area, said she will have to leave the town in order to find work.

She graduated in fashion marketing at Glasgow Caledonian University and she has been chasing jobs for over 18 months - but to no avail. She said: "It's the same everywhere, not just around here. I've tried all around Glasgow and a couple in Edinburgh.

"I'd be willing to move for a job but there's just nothing there."

Recently released statistics show jobless people in the area within 18-24 age range is at 5.8 per cent of the entire age group.

While the unemployment rate for East Ren is 7.5 per cent, slightly under the national average of 8.1 per cent.

East Renfrewshire Council is hoping to find more opportunities for young people by extending the Council's Graduate Internship Programme well into 2013.

Phil Prentice the council's economic development manager said: "With our graduate internship programme we can offer additional opportunities for young people. We will be continuing our existing model but extending it to offer specialist job clubs."

The program was introduced in 2011 and saw the employment of 15 graduates, and was so successful that in February the scheme was granted an additional �80,000.