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First Minister announces Prince’s Trust Scotland investment.

Scotland’s young people will receive support to kick start their entrepreneurial dreams, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced recently.

The £400,000 investment in The Prince’s Trust Scotland Enterprise programme will assist in offering practical advice on how to start up a business, how to write a business plan, introductory finance training as well as offering loans of up to £7,500 and grants of up to £1,000.

Speaking at the launch of the Samsung Digital Classroom at the Prince’s Trust Glasgow Centre, which will support the development of digital skills for young people the First Minister said:

“Our young people are our greatest asset and it is crucial, perhaps more now than ever, that we see their economic potential unleashed. At a time when youth employment is at the highest since 2005 we want to see The Prince’s Trust Scotland support more young people to start their own successful businesses which will then also contribute to the Scottish economy.

“The Prince’s Trust Scotland is a key partner, of Scotland CAN DO. They ensure that our young people see entrepreneurial activity as a viable and valid option and are committed in supporting any young person to reach their full potential.

“Their excellent track record and tremendous work over the years is strongly appreciated and we all look forward to hearing of continuing success stories.

“The new Prince’s Trust Wolfson Centre in Glasgow is set to become Scotland’s biggest youth employment and enterprise hub, and will support thousands of young people in Glasgow and surrounding areas.This centre further strengthens the Scotland CAN DO entrepreneurial message. It also supports business growth, while ensuring that no one is left behind and that all business ideas can and do have the opportunity to turn from dream into reality. We invite all of our enterprising people, businesses and organisations to join with us, in a Team Scotland effort, to make that vision a reality.”

Allan Watt, Director, The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said:

"The Prince's Trust Scotland has been supporting young entrepreneurs for over 25 years. The enduring legacy has been successful businesses creating thousands of jobs and inspiring thousands more young people to think about creating their own jobs. Over 1800 young people worked with us last year in every part of Scotland from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders. Our charity depends on a wide reaching network of staff and volunteers supported by funding from the public and private sector.

This funding from the Scottish Government underpins our work to reach any young person interested in running their own business and to provide them with advice, mentoring and financial support to explore, develop and launch their business ideas."

Notes To Editors

The Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced £555,000 in January.

The funding went towards the cost of purchase and renovation of the building to an enterprise and employability hub in Glasgow is expected to not only help young people and secure over 2000 jobs but will also support new Prince’s Trust businesses and the wider Scottish economy.

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/-500-000-investment-in-Scotland-s-young-people-1496.aspx

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped 750,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at www.princes-trust.org.uk

Samsung is committed to help close the digital divide and skills gap in the UK. Samsung Digital Classrooms in schools, charities/non-profit organisations and cultural partners provide access to the latest technology. Samsung is also providing the training and maintenance support necessary to help make the transition and integration of the new technology as smooth as possible. Samsung is also offering qualifications and training in technology for young people and teachers through its Digital Academies in London and Birmingham. These initiatives will inspire young people, staff and teachers to learn and teach in creative ways and to help encourage young people into careers using technology.

Samsung has officially committed to providing young people in Europe with access to smart technologies, skills and training and has worked with techUK to identify recommendations for how the UK can make the most of the estimated 134,000 new jobs that are created in the tech sector alone per year with one initiative being the Digital Classroom programme.

Find out more: www.samsung.com/uk/citizenship