West Lothian Council is continuing to work alongside partners to tackle youth unemployment in the area.
A report at a recent meeting of West Lothian Council provided details of additional resources, being provided to West Lothian as part of the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee.
The guarantee aims to ensure that within two years, everyone aged between 16 and 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training for a minimum of 12 months.
To support the guarantee, West Lothian Council was provided with an additional No One Left Behind Grant of £1,169,898 in January 2021 to support delivery in 2020/21 and a further £1,746,839 in July 2021 to support delivery in 2021/22.
The meeting heard how the additional funds will be utilised to enhance current delivery of existing services that engage and support young people into employment, particularly those that are struggling as a result of Covid-19.
This will positively impact the work of programmes such as the Steps n2 Work wages subsidy programme, the council’s Skills Training and Helping Young People to Engage programmes and the HYPE programme which looks to re-engage young people into education with a view to helping them into the workplace.
If you are a young person who is currently unemployed or unsure about your future then this could be the opportunity for you.
Please contact Access2employment@westlothian.gov.uk to see how the Guarantee can support you.
Executive councillor for development and transport, Cathy Muldoon said: “Tacking youth unemployment remains a key priority for West Lothian Council and its partners. The additional resources, being provided to West Lothian from the Young Person’s Guarantee, will provide the ability to increase current capacity and provide additional support for young people who have found themselves disengaged, unemployed or underemployed.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that we look to support our young people whilst at the same time looking to boost our local economy.
“The council’s Access2Employment service is available to support any young person who is looking to get themselves onto the employment ladder. If you need support or know a young person who is then please get in touch.”
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