Scottish Government encourages businesses to Make Young People Their Business

Employers urged to aid youth employment and boost economic growth.

In a statement released yesterday by the Scottish Government, Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment, said “In my time as the UK’s first youth employment minister, I have heard some wonderful stories from both young people and the organisations that have taken on energetic new talent. There have been some real success stories from all around the country involving young people who have made progress in employment, demonstrated their loyalty and value to employers and aided their economic growth. In order to truly step up our efforts to support young people into jobs, we need to paint a positive picture for those employers not yet sold on the benefits, including how a younger workforce will aid long-term planning.

“This is about enabling employers to take a chance on a young employee, and making further progress with youth employment figures. My fellow ministers and I plan to visit as many employers as we can to raise awareness among the business world, and the public and third sectors, that we have a talented young workforce that is incredibly keen to take their first steps on the career ladder. Key partners such as Skills Development Scotland will also have a pivotal role.

“While youth employment numbers continue to move in the right direction with Scotland better placed than the rest of the UK, we realise there is more to do. Every 16 to 19 year old has a guaranteed offer of a place in training or education and we will continue to create 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities as well as thousands of youth jobs. But we must take our employers with us and this coming week will be about how to help them make young people their business. Recruiting young people is not just the right thing to do but the smart thing to do.”