Ready for work

The call by Nick Price (Platform, 5 January) for Scotland’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to follow his example and take on young people not in education, employment or training is to be applauded, reducing the social problems that go with youth unemployment and releasing untapped potential.

And there is much assistance on offer to SMEs to do this. The Scottish Government’s appointment of a minister for youth employment was quickly followed by a £1.5 million fund to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment over the next three years.

By offering the incentive of £2,000 to employers who take on a young person from a disadvantaged background, this will give many of our young people a foot in the door to the world of work. It also makes it easier and less costly for firms to hire younger people. The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 25,000 modern apprenticeships a year and to a Sustainable Procurement Bill, focused on the creation of training and employment opportunities through public contracts.

It is vital that we have a strong workforce that has the right skills not only required in today’s working environment, but also forecast for the future, and that we are delivering these workers at the right time, in the right place and in the right numbers.

JACQUI HEPBURN

Director, Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland

Castle Street, Edinburgh