The budget to fund jobs, apprenticeships and training for young people in Glasgow has been doubled to £50 million before the city’s final presentation to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
City council leader Gordon Matheson announced the local authority’s increased financial commitment to the Glasgow Guarantee scheme in Lausanne, Switzerland, where a final presentation will be given to the International Olympic Committee before it votes to decide the 2018 host on Thursday.
The guarantee was devised as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy to provide a job, an apprenticeship or training opportunity for all people in the city aged between 16 and 24. It incorporates the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative, Commonwealth Jobs Fund, Commonwealth Graduate Fund and Commonwealth Youth Fund.
The council’s increase of financial support from £25m to £50m will allow the guarantee scheme to run until 2018.
The introduction of an internationally accredited vocational award, called the Champion Mark, for elite young athletes and other young people from around the world was also announced.
It will aim to develop leadership skills in young people and encourage them to do voluntary work.
Mr Matheson said: “Dealing with youth unemployment is one of our core priorities and I am determined to do everything I can to help school leavers and other young people find work and fulfill their potential.
“Every young person in this city deserves to be a champion in their own life.”
Paul Bush, Glasgow 2018 bid director, said: “What better way to show the passion this city has for its young people than through real policy decisions which will better the lives of so many who richly deserve a bright future.”