Training schemes, Modern Apprenticeships, college courses, university degrees – there are many routes into employment in Scotland but sadly too many young people fail to find their way into one of them.

Every young person has a talent and an ambition that should be nurtured. Some may need more support than others, but they should all be able to achieve their ambitions. As the UK’s first Youth Employment Minister I want to make sure the Scottish Government works with all our partners to make this a reality.

Scotland needs to work together to find a national response to the problem of youth unemployment. That’s why I recently convened a meeting with representatives from the world of business, the third sector and Local Authorities to discuss how we can best invest the extra £30 million announced by the First Minister.

That meeting was hugely helpful and helped me decide to offer £1.5 million to fund a package of support for young people from the most disadvantaged background. This will see up to 1,000 carers, care leavers or others receive tailored support to help them on the road to work, alongside employer incentives of up to £2,000 for companies who employ them.

Looking ahead to the rest of this year, our offer of a place in education or training for every 16-19 year old – opportunities for all – will be delivered during the next year. While the important changes of our post-16 reform programme – such as legislation to widen access to universities, a regional and more responsive system of colleges and the £15 million transformational fund to support college will also progress.

It is absolutely vital that 2012 is the year of opportunity for our young people and I believe many more of our young people will have the skills, knowledge and training they need to make a success of the jobs on offer and play their own part in our economic recovery in the year ahead.

Angela Constance
Minister for Youth Employment