The Government's New Deal is giving new hope to a whole generation and helping thousands of young Scots take the first steps of their working lives, Scottish Secretary John Reid said today. The New Deal for young people has placed 25,000 young people into jobs in Scotland since it began two years ago, making a significant contribution to meeting the Government's target of helping 250,000 unemployed young people across the UK during the lifetime of this Parliament. These figures are good but more needs to be done to finally overcome the problems of youth unemployment.
Many young people can experience problems finding work because of basic skills needs.
The New Deal is a success because it focuses on the needs of individuals with the support of dedicated personal advisors who build up a good working relationship with them. We are now able to develop New Deal further, to identify basic skill needs and offer up to 20 weeks intensive help to improve literacy and numeracy so that young people are better equipped to compete successfully for jobs and to make good progress in work. From next month a work focused intensive gateway will be introduced, designed to develop employability, help with interviewing and presentation skills, and provide 'work tasters' with employers to improve the job readiness of young people and increase their chances of taking up good quality sustainable jobs. These measures are further evidence of our determination not to rest on our laurels, but to continue to develop and improve the New Deal as it progresses. We want to provide all young Scots with the opportunity to enjoy the improved lifestyle, self confidence and optimism for the future that having a job brings.