WIREDGOV

Funding of more than £500,000 invested in young people’s future.

Work to help develop the young workforce in Fife has received a boost from the Scottish Government of more than £500,000. The funding will go to the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) in Fife Group over the next three years.

The Group will work to improve links between education and employers and also increase opportunities for young people in the area and include representatives from private business, Fife Council, Fife College and SDS.

Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing announced the investment as she officially launched the Developing the Young Workforce in Fife Group and met leading representatives involved in driving the group forward.

The formation of regional groups to help young people into work was a key recommendation of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. This is the third Regional Group to be established, groups in Glasgow and in Aberdeenshire are already up and running.

Ms Ewing said:

“I am very pleased to officially launch the regional Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) in Fife Group which will be supported by £150,000 of Scottish Government funding in its first year.

“These local Developing the Young Workforce Groups will lead a concerted effort to develop Scotland’s young workforce by strengthening regional links between industry and education and training.

“The number of young people unemployed in Scotland is at its lowest level for five years but we are determined to work with employers to ensure that more of our young men and women can secure sustainable and rewarding jobs.

“Employers will be key to delivering our vision of a world class vocational education system that will open up a wider range of work opportunities to everyone, whatever their background or gender.”

Eric Byiers, Chief Executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce and Interim Chair of the Fife Invest in Young People Group, said:

“There are many examples of great working links between schools, the College and Fife businesses. The business-led Invest in Young People Group gives us an opportunity to build on these connections to extend this joint work to benefit both Fife businesses and Fife’s young people – our future workforce.”

Chair of Opportunities Fife and Fife Council Youth Ambassador Tony Martin said:

“This investment for our future workforce is a fantastic boost and anything we can do to further improve the prospects for young people is welcomed. We’re delighted to be involved.”