Young Person's Guarantee: update report March 2023

Reflections from Sandy Begbie

In my initial report 'Young Person Guarantee No One Left Behind' I set out the ambition that: 'Within 2 years every 16-24 year old in Scotland will either be in paid employment for a period of between 12 and 24 months, enrolled in education, actively involved on an apprenticeship or training programme, or engaged on a formal volunteering or supported activity programme.' This ambition was later extended to include participation in an enterprise programme.

The word 'guarantee' is important here as I believe that this is about giving everyone a chance in life, an opportunity to fulfil their potential as an individual, regardless of their background. Giving young people this guarantee also has broader societal impacts for example on mental health and wellbeing. I also believe the connection to work and/or education for young people is really important and should always be the number one priority.

My report was a call for action to reduce the impact of Covid on the life chances of our young people. It was a call for Government at all levels, public sector, private sector including employer groups, employment agencies and 3^rd sector organisations to step up and do what they could for the young people of Scotland. I highlighted the principles which were to underpin this work: a relentless focus on young people, being truly inclusive, increasing collaboration, and keeping it simple for both young people and employers. There was cross-party support for this vision.

Increases in unemployment amongst young people due to Covid were projected to be dire and our focus was based on the information we had at that time. Thankfully the labour market performed differently and recovered faster than anticipated. We did not see the levels of unemployment we feared but the Young Person's Guarantee was never intended to be solely a short-term response to the pandemic. Our ambition was to drive real sustainable change, something which has undoubtedly been achieved over the last 2 years. The Young Person's Guarantee has already exceeded one of its main goals of creating tens of thousands of new and additional opportunities for young people and the support from employers has been fantastic.

Indeed the latest estimates for 16 to 24 year olds in Scotland show the unemployment rate has decreased over the last year, the employment rate has increased and the economic inactivity rate has decreased. Scotland continues to perform well against the UK with higher employment rates and lower unemployment rates of 16 to 24 year olds. Scotland also has the fifth lowest unemployment rate when compared to the UK and the EU 27 countries^[1]. Whilst the activity attached to the Young Person's Guarantee is not solely responsible for these positive statistics, it has played a crucial role.

Through the Young Person's Guarantee, we have seen structural changes to align and simplify the offer to young people. The Young Person's Guarantee was always designed to be the overarching umbrella, bringing a range of different partners and initiatives together to deliver a seamless journey for our young people and employers. We have built on the strong foundations of Developing the Young Workforce; partnerships with local government; services from Skills Development Scotland; and, world-class universities and colleges, with partners coming together to ensure that there's no wrong door for any young person trying to access support. We have more to do but I believe that the Young Person's Guarantee projects demonstrate that we can work collaboratively across all sectors to create opportunities for all young people and that the system can adapt.

We are doing more to prepare young people for the world of work. Through apprenticeships, I have also seen that young people can access a huge range of work-based learning opportunities, providing the skills the economy needs now and in the future. Developing the Young Workforce is linking employers with schools, to support young people transition into the world of work. Volunteering opportunities have provided invaluable learning and skills to help prepare young people to move into employment, and support them to succeed once they are in the workplace.

I also believe that colleges demonstrated the critical role they can and do play in linking young people with good and fulfilling jobs. Through the design and delivery of the Young Person's Guarantee activity, colleges demonstrated an ability to move at pace to align young people with opportunities in sectors with evidenced skills gaps. We need to maintain that pace and flexibility to deliver an employability and skills system that is focussed on our young people and the needs of the economy.

Employer leadership is a key element of the success of the Young Person's Guarantee and we have seen huge levels of support from employers. Management Information (MI) data collected by Scottish Government shows that 816 employers are currently signed up to the Young Person's Guarantee, providing in excess of 22,000 opportunities, many targeting those furthest away from the labour market. 75% of those signed up are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and they are offering 43% of the opportunities, reinforcing the importance of small businesses in growing and sustaining our economy.

Ensuring the Young Person's Guarantee is driven by the needs of young people has also been fundamental to its success. The Young Scot's Youth Leadership Panel have continued to play an integral role in making sure young people's voices are heard, through their involvement in informing and influencing decision making on areas that impact on them. The Panel have helped design how the Young Person's Guarantee is implemented nationally, ensuring it meets the needs of young people in Scotland – regardless of their background, status, stage of education or employment. Continued collaboration with the Youth Leadership Panel will be key to ensuring young people are at the heart of decision making around the next phase of the Young Person's Guarantee.

The Young Person's Guarantee has played an important role in economic recovery, improving connections between young people and opportunities. Designed to support the Young Person's Guarantee's central ambition to simplify the landscape, the Opportunity Finder tool (Opportunity Finder - Young Person's Guarantee Website) enables young people to search over 30,000 jobs, apprenticeships, courses and volunteering opportunities by sector and region. They are also able to access links to wider opportunities and support through local authorities and employability partners. Through this and other examples, the Young Person's Guarantee is contributing to creating an economy that works for all of Scotland, putting sustainability, wellbeing and fair work at the heart of our economic transformation.

The challenge which remains for us is how we deliver the Young Person's Guarantee to those we have not yet reached. However, I am confident that through the commitment to the Young Person's Guarantee, and to making a real difference to young people, this can be achieved and I look forward to the next stage of this vital work.

Sandy Begbie, Chair, Young Person's Guarantee Implementation Group and Developing the Young Workforce Employers' Forum

Employer Case Study – R-evolution For Good

Passionate about supporting young people, R-evolution For Good, a charitable community benefit society based in Moray, has joined a host of other employers across Scotland to commit their support to the Young Person's Guarantee.

"I can't see why employers wouldn't invest in young people. They are the future of business. Young people who come into your business can help shape it and be part of its future. I certainly see the young people we employ delivering the business eventually." Debi Weir, Development Manager and Founder at R-evolution For Good

R-evolution For Good is a small business and a charity that works for the benefit of the community. They offer and deliver a range of training and development opportunities for businesses. The charity's aim is to end child poverty, by offering a free progression coaching

As part of their commitment to the Young Person's Guarantee, R-evolution For Good provides work-based learning opportunities for young people that help prepare them for the world of work.

Debi explained:

"We have had two Modern Apprentices, one in Business Administration and one in Digital Marketing. Both of those young people have been amazing in bringing new concepts and ideas to the organisation and both have excelled in the work that they do.

"The apprenticeships were created as the roles were needed and rather than hiring people who were already qualified, we wanted to bring in young people. We have gained highly from their fresh perspectives."

"We have had support through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray, Skills Development Scotland and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

"The process is very simple, and it was a huge gain for very little effort. The support for employers to take on apprentices is excellent.