A new £450,000 drive to help young people into the world of work has been launched in Perthshire.
The local branch of the Scottish Government-backed Developing the Young Workforce initiative was unveiled by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
The group aims to encourage and support employers to engage directly with schools and colleges to help them recruit more young people.
It is hoped the strategy, which is being rolled out across the country, will help slash the rate of youth unemployment.
Mr Swinney said: “Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy is a seven year national plan that aims to enable young people of all backgrounds to succeed in a stronger, fairer and more equitable labour market by ensuring education is preparing them for their working lives.”
He added: “The fifteenth regional group to be established, Perth and Kinross will be supported by over £450,000 of Scottish Government funding over the next three years.
“Our 2021 target of reducing 2014 levels of youth unemployment by 40% is extremely ambitious, but achievable, with the great work of regional groups like this to build bridges between the education system and local businesses, reducing barriers to employment for our young people.”
Mr Swinney launched the campaign at Perth’s Giraffe cafe, a city centre social enterprise project.
He was joined by new group chairman Steven Stewart, who is director of communications with transport giant Stagecoach.
“Around 92% of young people in Perth and Kinross have a positive destination after school,” he said.
“But we need to do more for all of our young people, whatever their backgrounds, to help them develop the skills they need.
“This funding and the initiatives we have planned will help us bring business and education even closer together.
“We have 6,000 businesses here in Perth and Kinross, from major plcs to microbusinesses. Whether it is one hour, one day, one week or a more extended commitment, every one of them has something to offer our young people.”
There are two key business representative organisations already onboard – Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses – and they represent a large number of small firms.
Major private and public sector local employers also involved include the Stagecoach Group, SSE, Aviva, Perth and Kinross Council and the NHS.
Other local companies which have signed up are the Crieff Hydro, fruit growers Thomas Thomson, John Clark Motor Group and recruitment specialists Fairways, which recently earned Gold Investors in Young People accreditation for the scope of its commitment in this area.
There is strong regional-buy in from key partners in education and skills, including local schools, Perth College and Skills Development Scotland.
