Highland Council gives its backing to the Young Person’s Guarantee

Highland Councillors have welcomed an update from Scottish Government on the continued progress and employer enrolment in the Young Person’s Guarantee initiative.

The initiative encourages employers across Scotland to increase opportunities for every 16-24 year old in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.  Its core aim is to give young people the chance to succeed within the working world despite the economic impacts of COVID-19, while also ensuring employers continue to benefit from the fresh ideas and new perspectives that young people bring to workplaces.

Employers are asked to commit to:

• preparing young people for the world of work through engaging with education, work experience and work-based learning opportunities
• engaging with and providing opportunities to young people who face barriers to work
• creating apprenticeships, training and upskilling opportunities for young people
• creating jobs and opportunities for young people
• creating an inclusive workplace to enable young people to meet their potential

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Depute Leader of the Council and Chair of the Recovery Board said:   “This initiative is welcome and with the Budget the Council has just passed we will now be able to take it to the next level ensuring that we support and help Highland young folk secure a positive future as we move into the Recovery phase for our area. The Council is committed to working in partnership with all employers be they big or small to support employment opportunities”.

Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Raymond Bremner said:  “I’m delighted to welcome the Young Person’s Guarantee. One of the key focuses in the Council’s joint collaborative budget is to support employment opportunities including those for young people through funding support for apprenticeships available to those over the age of 16. It also provides for strengthening support for young people through mentoring programmes. These targeted areas for investment by the Highland Council are key initiatives that support the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee.”

Employers are encouraged to come forward and participate in this initiative.  More information on the Young Person’s Guarantee is available here: https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/youngpersonsguarantee

ENDS