Removing barriers to employment

Young people struggling to access employment will be supported by an additional £4 million through the Young Person’s Guarantee.

The funding will help young people impacted most by the pandemic, including those who are care-experienced and those experiencing mental health issues.

Three programmes will share the £4 million, which will connect people with employers, training and volunteering opportunities.

Minister for Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“We want all of our young people to succeed, no matter their background or circumstances. Our aim is to ensure those seeking work have access to valuable support and opportunities for years to come.

“We know that many young people may face additional barriers to successfully gaining permanent work and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic combined with the cost of living crisis has made this more challenging. By connecting young people seeking work directly with employers we can offer them potentially life changing opportunities.

“This additional support is on top of £15 million already allocated to local authorities through the Young Person’s Guarantee for the current year and will build on our strong record of tackling youth unemployment.”

Background:

The Young Person's Guarantee is a commitment to bring together employers, partners and young people. It aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training or volunteering.

The Scottish Government has provided significant funds to local authorities for employment support which is used in addition to their own local funding. In 2022-23, almost £60 million was provided to help deliver employment support, including £15 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee.

This additional £4 million funding for the Young Person’s Guarantee will be shared between three programmes:

• Inspiring Scotland will receive £2.6 million towards their Our Future Now programme which offers young people the opportunity to take part in work placements, shadowing and interview training

• The Young People’s Consortium (Action for Children, Barnardo’s and Prince’s Trust) will receive £1.4 million to help young people with experience of the care system secure full-time employment

• Volunteering Matters, in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), will receive £97,000 towards their work to support young people in Glasgow, including those experiencing mental health issues, to gain access to formal volunteering opportunities