Ready for work
And there is much assistance on offer to SMEs to do this. The Scottish Government’s appointment of a minister for youth employment was quickly followed by a £1.5 million fund to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment over the next three years.
By offering the incentive of £2,000 to employers who take on a young person from a disadvantaged background, this will give many of our young people a foot in the door to the world of work. It also makes it easier and less costly for firms to hire younger people. The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 25,000 modern apprenticeships a year and to a Sustainable Procurement Bill, focused on the creation of training and employment opportunities through public contracts.
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Hide AdIt is vital that we have a strong workforce that has the right skills not only required in today’s working environment, but also forecast for the future, and that we are delivering these workers at the right time, in the right place and in the right numbers.
JACQUI HEPBURN
Director, Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland
Castle Street, Edinburgh