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Minister announces funding for vulnerable young people in work.

£302,500 of funding for an In Work Support package for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people has been announced by the Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment. 

The new funding will work alongside Scotland’s Employment Recruitment Incentive and be directed at those who face the most significant barriers when accessing employment opportunities. This includes young people who are disabled, care leavers, carers and those with criminal convictions aged 16 to 29. 

During a visit to the MEARS group in Coatbridge today, Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing said: 

“The Scottish Government recognises the key role of Scotland’s Young workforce in delivering sustainable economic growth and we are committed to raising aspiration and employment opportunities for all our young people. 

“We acknowledge the difficulties many of our young people face when trying to access employment and we recognise the extra challenges faced by those who are vulnerable or have specific needs. I am delighted to announce this funding of £302,500 to support the work of the Scotland’s Employment Recruitment Incentive. 

“It is crucial that when we are trying to build a stronger economy and more equal society that no one is left behind, that is why we want our young people who may be disabled, carers, care leavers or have a criminal conviction get the extra support they need when accessing the jobs market.” 

MEARS Managing Director in Scotland, Willie Docherty welcomed Ms Ewing to their headquarters in Coatbridge. He said: “Mears currently employ over 2,000 people in Scotland, in care, construction and facilities management and we work in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council on a successful apprenticeship programme. We also provide a number of work experience placements for school children and a ‘second chance’ programme for young adults. 

“Gillian Neil, an apprentice electrician gained her apprenticeship as a second chance student and has gone on to be one of our top apprentices, while Emma Moffat and Connor Malone have gained employment with Mears, through our links with supported employment agencies. “Our apprentices carry out community projects and volunteer to take part in charity events, and are an absolute credit to the communities in which they live and work.”

The in Work Support package will be delivered through an expanded ‘Open Doors’ consortium, including Action for Children, Barnardo’s, Young Carers Trust, Workers Educational Association and Cornerstone. 

Judith Thomas, Education Development Manager (Employability), from WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) Scotland added:

“WEA Scotland are very pleased to be working with Scottish Government and the newly established third sector consortium supporting some of the most disadvantaged young people in Scotland to access employment opportunities. It is heartening to be part of something which is based on individual need and is personal, flexible, responsive and creative.”

Kate Storrow, Employment and Learning Services Manager, from RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) Scotland also said:

“RNIB Scotland is pleased and excited about working in partnership, with other support providers, to ensure the needs of the most disadvantaged young people in Scotland are taken account of as part of this new provision. 

“We welcome the opportunity to ensure that disabled and disadvantaged young people can contribute to the Scottish economy with the support and advice from an established and supportive consortium.”

Notes To Editors

Feedback from stakeholders and employers has indicated that the in-work support element of the previous Targeted Employment Recruitment Incentive was a crucial component in ensuring that young people were able to sustain their job for the long term. This new offer will provide funding of up to £500 per young person for additional in work support tailored to meet the specific needs of young people with a disability, care leavers, carers and young people with criminal convictions aged 16 to 29 years. The support will, amongst other things, offer accredited training; enhanced monitoring and in work support; independent travel training; job coaching and workplace reviews; purchase of basic workplace clothing and equipment; mentoring employers and their staff in support strategies; benefit/in work benefit checks.

Skills Development Scotland will work with Action for Children, Barnardo’s, Young Carers Trust, Workers Educational Association and Cornerstone on delivering the support. 

On June 24. the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Skills and Training launched Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive (SERI), as the replacement for both Youth Employment Scotland Fund (YESF) and the Targeted ERI. SERI has been available since 1 July 2015 and offers employers around £4,000 over the course of the first 12 months of employment to offset the additional costs of recruiting and employing a young person. An additional £500 supplement is available to encourage employers to pay the living wage.