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£163,400 to support young disabled people towards jobs.

The Scottish Government has invested £163,400 in work to remove the barriers that young disabled and other vulnerable people face when entering the jobs market.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce will work with employers to identify the barriers and then work with other stakeholders to help break them down.

The work forms part of Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy which included a specific recommendation to develop a better understanding of the issues employers face in taking on young disabled people.

Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing made the announcement at Braehead Foods in Kilmarnock whose owner Craig Stevenson has a strong record of supporting the employment of disabled people. She said:

“Earlier this year we announced £302,500 to fund an ‘in work’ support package for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people, including those with disabilities. This builds on a range of measures rolled out across the autumn to implement Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy and support even more young people into jobs.

“Scotland’s Employment Recruitment Incentive is also directed at those who face the most significant barriers when accessing employment opportunities, offering employers funding to ensure they do not miss out.

“It remains clear that there are still significant barriers to young disabled and vulnerable people fulfilling their potential by taking up sustainable careers. The work we are funding The Scottish Chambers of Commerce to undertake will help us understand what the problems are and how to solve them. 

“However, firms like Braehead Foods have highlighted what can be done and as this work moves forward I hope to see more employers seizing the initiative and giving more young disabled and vulnerable people the chance of a job.” 

Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“The Scottish Chambers of Commerce are really pleased to be invited to take the lead in this important work to help break down the barriers and myths about employing young people with disabilities and those in other vulnerable groups. We hope that the work will not only help the young people themselves, but also help employers in Scotland access and develop the widest possible range of skills and talent available.”