Youth hardest hit

IN relation to the latest statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) concerning unemployment (your report, 17 May), it is promising to see unemployment falling in Scotland, especially among 16- to 24-year-olds. Unemployment in this group has fallen by 8,000 between January and March, as has the number of those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

However, despite these positive trends, the youth unemployment rate still stands at an unacceptable 23.1 per cent – a level that remains stubbornly above the UK as a whole.

There is little doubt that our young people were among the hardest hit by the economic downturn and they continue to be at a significant disadvantage during our fragile recovery as jobs and opportunities remain few. While we are beginning to see a slight improvement in youth employment, there is still much to do. We must continue to unlock the talent in this generation and equip our young people with the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

We know it is a generation who desperately want to succeed, with 80 per cent of the young people the trust works with moving forward into jobs, enterprise, education and training. It will take a commitment and real focus from public sector bodies, private sector partners and the third sector to bring the Scottish Government’s All Scotland vision to life; collaboration has a vital role to play in rebuilding Scotland’s economic future.

The latest unemployment figures should give us hope, but much work remains to be done before Scotland can reap the rewards of an engaged and employed youth.

Heather Gray

Prince’s Trust Scotland

Renfield Street

Glasgow