New figures show that fewer young people are claiming unemployment benefit in the south of Scotland compared to the same time last year.
The claimant count for February 2013 across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders fell by 230, 11 per cent, compared to the same time last year.
The figures follow considerable investment by the Scottish Government to improve employment opportunities for young people, including a guaranteed place in training or education for 16 – 19 year olds through Opportunities for All and at least 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship places every year.
The figures are broken down as follows for each local authority:
* Dumfries and Galloway: 125 fewer young people claiming unemployment benefit
* Scottish Borders: 105 fewer young people claiming unemployment benefit
Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said, “The latest figures are the clearest demonstration yet that the Scottish Government’s action on youth employment is helping to support more young people into jobs. This fall in claimant count for the south of Scotland is very positive news for the area’s young people as we push hard to improve the options available to them.”
“A record 89.9 per cent of our young people nationwide are rightly securing opportunities on leaving school. However one young person not in training or employment is one too many and our work must continue. Our efforts so far have included a guaranteed offer of a place in education or training for every 16-19 year old, funding 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships each year and £29 million to create thousands of jobs in the third sector over three years.”
“This year our efforts will be stepped up by launching locally-based employer recruitment incentives which will offer financial support to small companies willing to give young people a job and is backed by £15 million of Scottish Government funding and by £10 million European Structural funding.”
“Scotland’s young people are an important part of our dynamic workforce and are keen to take advantage of the opportunities that are available. With continued assistance from businesses we will do all we can to provide these opportunities. To that end I would urge more employers in Scotland to make young people their business.”
Published on aliveradio.net
Kemii 