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FM: Investment in education is the ‘foundation of a fairer Scotland’.

More than 1,000 job opportunities for unemployed young people will be created as part of a £6.1 million investment, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today, ahead of a major speech on education.

The announcement comes as the First Minister prepares to address the David Hume Institute as part of their 'What sort of Scotland do we wish to create?' series.

Ms Sturgeon will use the speech to say that investing in our young people – from early years to education to employment opportunities is the ‘foundation of a fairer Scotland’.

Calling for Scotland to become “a land of opportunity” she will set out ways in which we can remove the barriers that some people face and ensure that education - from birth to adulthood - plays a key role in tackling inequality and growing the economy.

In the speech Ms Sturgeon will say: “The education I got is a major reason why I’m able to stand here today as the First Minister of Scotland. So it’s important to me personally that every young girl and boy growing up today – regardless of their background – gets the chance to do the same.

“The removal of obstructions to education, and the opening up of new opportunities, has been the focus of many of the major initiatives of my first 100 days.

“From supporting mothers in the early stages of pregnancy, to helping people gain their first experience of work, this government is committed to promoting opportunities and reducing inequalities

“Because education is not just part of our sense of ourselves, it’s the key to a better future for young people growing up in Scotland today. And it is at the heart of the fairer, more prosperous Scotland, that all of us seek to build.”

The investment of over £6 million will support a further 1,000 job opportunities as part of the next phase of the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) programme, which is delivered in partnership with SCVO. For the first time this year, employers will also be supported by the Scottish Government to pay CJS employees the Living Wage.

More than 5,500 young people have benefited from the programme which offers unemployed vulnerable people, aged 16 to 24, 6-18 month training posts and has helped the Third Sector by providing financial support to host employers.

The First Minister added:

“On the day I was sworn in as First Minister I set out my commitment to make sure that everyone in Scotland - no matter their background - has the best chance to get on in life.

“This £6.1 million investment will deliver over 1000 job opportunities for young people in Scotland who are, for one reason or another, struggling to find work. This funding will help to give them the training, skills and confidence to achieve what they want to in life. 

“We have seen many success stories from this programme. This year, following recommendations on how to best develop our young workforce, we will offer additional support to those who need it most, such as care leavers. 

“And importantly to ensure young people get a fair start in employment all of those taking part in the programme will have the opportunity to benefit from the Living Wage.”

Notes To Editors

Since 2011, we have invested over £35m in CJS and to date the programme has supported over 5,500 unemployed young people, across all 32 Local Authorities.

As part of this years programme, SCVO will deliver at least 1,000 job training opportunities across all 32 Local Authorities in 2015 – 2016. These opportunities will be at least 25 hours a week and focussed to deliver:

• 300 for vulnerable young people (e.g. care leavers and ex-offenders);
• 150 for 16-17 year olds;
• 300 for 18-19 year olds;
• 150 for 20-24 year olds; and
• 100 for disabled young people.

Developing the Young Workforce - Scotlands Youth Employment Strategy -http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Seven-year-plan-for-youth-employment-137b.aspx