Scottish Government
 Printable version
|
£500,000 investment in Scotland’s young people
Deputy First Minister visits new Princes Trust HQ in Glasgow.
John Swinney visited the new Princes Trust headquarters on Bridge Street in Glasgow today to announce over £500,000 of support for the organisation.
The half a million pound investment in Scotland’s young people could bring a double return, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said today.
The £555,000 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 Princes Trust businesses and the wider Scottish economy. The trust aims to support 6000 young people through the centre in its first year.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney met the Prince’s Trust Scotland’s Director at the site of the centre, along with construction staff and four young entrepreneurs who discussed how the Princes Trust has changed their lives.
Speaking at the event John Swinney said:
“Through investing in the Princes Trust’s new headquarters, we are not only supporting the local construction industry and staff of the organisation but we are also helping to create a facility that allows young people the opportunity to transform their lives. Some of the Prince’s Trust young people will go on to start their own successful businesses which also contribute to the Scottish economy so the Scottish Government are delighted to be part of this exciting project.
“The benefits of this investment will be felt both locally and nationally for years to come. The evidence for the long term benefits lie in the testimonies of the young people who have been given opportunities that would otherwise have been closed to them.”
Allan Watt, Director of youth charity The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said:
“This year we will open The Prince’s Trust Wolfson Centre. Based in the heart of Glasgow it is set to become the biggest youth employment and enterprise hub in Scotland. The support and investment we have had from the Scottish Government and European Structural Funds Programmes in Scotland have been key to our plans for the new centre and we are delighted to welcome Mr Swinney here today.
“The centre will allow us to reach thousands of young people from Glasgow and the surrounding area, helping them to turn their lives around through education and training, jobs and business.”
Entrepreneurs Michael Corrigan and David Kellock invented the Trtl - a scarf with an internal support system which supports the head when napping. They received funding and mentoring support from The Prince's Trust which enabled them to put the first batch into production and contributed to the cost of an extensive marketing campaign.
Michael said:
"The Prince's Trust have been a fantastic help for us since we started our business. They have a pool of mentors whose experience is invaluable for anyone beginning this journey, in business, as well as the access to funding. We simply wouldn't be where we are today without them.”
Another of the Princes Trust’s pioneers is Jill Kirkham, of Jill Kirkham Textiles.
Jill said:
“The Prince’s Trust helped me with funding so that I was able to invest in new equipment. They helped me take my business to the next level and develop a new website so I could connect directly with my clients.”
Notes To Editors
The office fit out is being undertaken by Clark Contracts, a company committed to developing trainees and graduates, to ensure new talent is brought into the industry. This approach helped to shortlist Clark Contracts last year for the Training and Development Award at the Business Insider, Best Employer Awards 2014 and the Employer of the Year Award at the Scottish Business Awards.
