The first organisations to back the £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee have been announced.
In a collective effort to help young people, the Scottish Government has been joined by SSE, Capgemini, NHS Lothian, Scottish Water and Standard Life Aberdeen in the commitment to ensure everyone aged between 16 and 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training.
The Guarantee aims to give all young people in Scotland the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Organisations backing the Guarantee make five pledges to help young people at this critical time:
- prepare young people for the world of work through work experience, volunteering and work-based learning opportunities
- engage with and provide opportunities to young people who face barriers to work
- create work-based learning, training and upskilling opportunities for young people
- create jobs and opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, paid internships and work experience
- create an inclusive workplace to support learning and enable young people to meet their potential
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“The pandemic is having a disproportionate economic effect on our young people, reducing job opportunities just as they are starting out on their careers. I am delighted to be launching the Young Person’s Guarantee today to help ensure their prospects are not permanently damaged."
Sandy Begbie, who led the Edinburgh Guarantee said: “In the spring, I was delighted to be asked to develop a strategy to establish a Young Person Guarantee for all 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland. The ambition is clear, I want every one person who is unemployed to be given an opportunity for a job, apprenticeship, education, training or volunteering. I strongly believe we must act now and decisively, our young people are an asset and a credit to Scotland.”