YOUNG SCOT WORK PROMISE

Details
Published: 02 August 2021

£70 million investment in youth employment.

Young people looking to enter the workforce will benefit from £70 million of investment from the Scottish Government.

The Young Person’s Guarantee aims to protect people from the economic impact of COVID-19 by offering every 16-24 year old in Scotland the opportunity of a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training programme or volunteering.

The announcement meets four of the commitments for the first 100 days of this government, and comes as a new report highlights the progress of the Young Person’s Guarantee.

Since it was officially launched in November 2020 funding has been committed to create up to 18,000 training, job and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.

The £70 million of investment includes:

  • £45 million for local partnerships to provide training, employer recruitment incentives, and mental health interventions for young people
  • £13.5 million for Colleges, Universities and the Scottish Funding Council to provide industry-focussed courses supporting up to 5,000 young people and employment support for 500 recent graduates
  • £10 million for the roll-out of new school coordinators and enhanced school provision to support young people access education, work and training
  • £1.5 million to increase places on volunteering and third sector programmes

Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse said:

"This is welcoming news for young people in my constituency, and I know many will benefit from this.

"It is widely highlighted that young poeple have been badly affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Scottish Government is determined to do everything they can to support young poeple in Scotland.

"The Young Person’s Guarantee is a vital part of that support which aims to give all young people the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of COVID-19.

"This investment of £70 million will ensure employers continue to benefit from the fresh talent and new perspectives that young people bring to workplaces across Scotland.”