£2m boost for colleges’ Neets plans

THREE colleges in the North of Scotland are to share a funding boost of almost £2 million to tackle youth unemployment in the area. The funding package from the European Social Fund (ESF) is to go towards the North Highland College, based in Thurso, Inverness College and Moray College in Elgin.

The funding will be used to provide an extra 100 places at Inverness College and to support a number of projects including engineering apprenticeships, hospitality training and English-language tuition.

Angela Constance, the Scottish Minister for Youth Employment, announced the new funding during a visit to Inverness College. She said: “Not having a place in work, education or training can be highly damaging to the life chances of Scotland’s young people and can seriously dent their ambitions.”

She said the Government was determined to take an “all-Scotland approach” to the problem, adding: “I am aware of the particular challenges being faced in the Highland and Moray.

“That’s why I am pleased with the quality of applications for ESF funding and am confident the successful projects will make a difference and improve the employability of young people in the north.”