Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee City East has welcomed the first organisations who have signed up to back the Young Person’s Guarantee
The Scottish Government has been joined by SSE, Capgemini, NHS Lothian and Standard Life Aberdeen in making the commitment to ensure everyone aged from 16 to 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training.
The Guarantee, backed by an additional £60 million investment, aims to give all young people in Scotland the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Organisations backing the Guarantee make five pledges to help young people at this critical time:
- prepare young people for the world of work through work experience, volunteering and work-based learning opportunities
- engage with and provide opportunities to young people who face barriers to work
- create work-based learning, training and upskilling opportunities for young people
- create jobs and opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, paid internships and work experience
- create an inclusive workplace to support learning and enable young people to meet their potential
Ms Robison said:
“The effects of COVID-19 have been felt by us all but they have also had a particularly worrying effect on the job opportunities for young people.
That is why the Young Person’s Guarantee is essential in ensuring young people can still thrive.
The promise of the opportunity of a job, placement, training or volunteering for every 16-24 year old in Scotland is an ambitious one but with the backing of Government and business it’s achievable.
I’m happy that a number of companies have already signed up to the Guarantee, SSE is a major employer in Dundee and it’s heartening to see their backing for the Guarantee.
I’d encourage more employers in the area to come forward and support our young people at this time”
Background:
Further information is available at the Young Persons Guarantee website.
The Young Person’s Guarantee was one of the main recommendations of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.
The £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee is part of a total of £100 million for employment support and training announced by the Scottish Government to tackle employment challenges. £10 million of this will be used to support a range of measures to recruit and retain apprentices.