More than 16,000 young people across Scotland have been offered workplace opportunities through the SNP Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, since its introduction in 2020.
Over 600 employers have signed up to the initiative, which connects people aged 16 to 24 with an apprenticeship, work experience, volunteering, internships, enterprise opportunities and mentoring.
The SNP Government committed up to £45 million in the 2022/23 budget to support young people in Scotland towards employment, training and apprenticeships through the Young Person’s Guarantee, other education, training, skills investment and through the jobs grant.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
"With exam results day less than a couple of weeks away, young people should be aware that there are a number routes into the workplace.
"Developing Young Workforce (DYW) co-ordinators link people in North Ayrshire with local employers, while the introduction of the free bus pass and the job grant are also helping young people to get to work, college or university."
Sandy Begbie, Young Person's Guarantee Implementation Group chair, said:
"From the beginning of the Young Person’s Guarantee I’ve stressed the importance of young people being connected to all available opportunities.
“It is great to see how many employers of all shapes and sizes have demonstrated their support and belief in young people by committing to the Guarantee.
“As representatives of Scotland’s industry and employers it remains crucial we work together to communicate to young people that although their futures may still seem uncertain, opportunities are out there and continue to grow.”
Young people and employers can find opportunities and support at youngpersonsguarantee.scot .
The number of young people in work increased by more than 15,000 last year and Scotland's youth employment rate is higher than the UK-wide figure.
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