Analysis: A national challenge that we must all play a part in

AS MINISTER for Youth Employment, it is my job to improve the job opportunities of Scotland’s young people.

Not having a place in work, education or training can damage the prospects and dent the ambitions of young people and our Youth Employment Strategy covers a range of activity working across the public, private and voluntary sectors and with young people themselves. It focuses on the different needs of young people who are looking for additional skills, qualifications, or who just need that first opportunity.

The STUC data rightly highlights the heights to which youth unemployment has risen, and youth unemployment remains far too high at 94,000. Scotland’s youth employment rate of 52.5 per cent is 3.5 per cent higher than the UK, while around a third of 16- to 24-year-olds classed as unemployed are in full-time education. But of course, every single young person deserves help.

We have guaranteed every 16- to 19-year-old, who doesn’t already have one, a place in education or training through Opportunities for All and have committed to 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in every year of this Parliament. Keeping young people in learning or training is the best means of improving their chances of getting a job in the longer term.

We are also investing £1.5 billion a year in post-16 education and training, prioritising young people within colleges, reducing debt through no fees for students coming from Scotland and maintaining Educational Maintenance Allowances. We continue to work with employers, local authorities and third sector partners to secure the best opportunities for all.

Councils have a key role in meeting the challenge, so last month I allocated £9 million to six local authorities identified as priority areas with particular difficulties with employment opportunities for young people.

We have set up a £5m fund to support up to 2,500 young people into opportunities linked to major cultural and sporting events hosted in Scotland in the coming years.

Of course, we need UK government support for jobs and economic recovery, not a programme of cuts.

l Angela Constance MSP is minister for youth employment