New youth jobs minister confident of improving prospects for ‘Neets’

Joblessness among young people in Scotland is a significant challenge for the economy and country, the new youth employment minister said as she carried out her first official engagement.

It was announced yesterday that Angela Constance, previously minister for children and young people, would take up the post which comes with a £30 million budget.

Ms Constance said: “My appointment as a dedicated minister for youth employment marks the start of a new phase in tackling what is clearly a significant challenge for our economy and our country as a whole.”

Around 100,000 16-24 year olds are now officially out of work.

However, she added that statistics show that more youngsters leaving school are reaching “positive destinations” such as college, university, training or work.

Ms Constance said: “The latest figures published today show that 88.9 per cent of young people are leaving school and going into positive destinations, an increase of 2 per cent on last year.

“It is good news that young people continue to enter work, training and education in such high numbers, particularly in the current economic climate, but we must keep up momentum.”

She also highlighted the announcement of an extra £15 million for colleges, and said: “Alongside our guarantee of a place in training or education for every 16-19 year old through Opportunities for All, I am confident that we will be able to significantly improve outcomes for Scotland’s young people.”

Ms Constance joined learning minister Alasdair Allan at a state-of-the-art facility at Ayr College for those studying aircraft engineering.

The two ministers officially opened the centre which was established after a £2.1 million investment, and which houses a flight simulator and plane.

Dr Allan hailed the new aircraft engineering centre as “an excellent example of an institution improving the options available for young people”.

He continued: “Not only is this brand new facility an example of how hands-on learning and cutting-edge technology can enhance skills in the sector, the links with key employers like BAe, Loganair and Ryanair, as well as higher education, will give students the chance to take some firm steps into employment in one of the Scottish Government’s key sectors.

“This approach is also very much in line with our plans to reform post-16 education. By aligning themselves with local employers, colleges can create opportunities for their students and make a substantial contribution to the economy in their area.”

First Minister Alex Salmond announced last week that the post of youth employment minister was being created, following an independent report last month by the Smith Group warning that joblessness among young people will “remain a serious national issue” for some time and called for such a role to be established.