– Survey Reveals Need for Scottish Businesses to Invest in Workforce of Tomorrow- 

New research into the current state of youth unemployment in Scotland has revealed a desperate need for Scottish businesses to support young people into work.

Findings from The Skills Pulse Survey, developed by Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS), show that 85 per cent of businesses believe they should offer more work experience opportunities to young people in order to develop the right skill set for future employment.

Currently 53,000 young Scots (aged 16-24) are not in employment or training, yet only 8 per cent of employers feel they are doing enough to engage with the education and training system to help prepare the future workforce. At the same time, less than a third (27 per cent) of employers currently offer work experience.

Over half (56 per cent) of those questioned called for apprentices to receive more advanced training in skills that are more relevant to business growth such as science, technology, engineering and maths.

Publication of the Skills Pulse Survey follows the launch of a new initiative from Investors in People Scotland, called Investors in Young People (IIYP). Supported by the Scottish Government, IIYP offers an accreditation scheme encouraging employers to work with and invest in young workers.

IIYP will assist organisations in implementing a nationally recognised framework helping them to engage and develop a talent pipeline for the future.  Working across the private, public and third sector, the framework provides advice, recommendations and best practice regarding the recruitment, employment and training of young workers.

Peter Russian, chief executive at Investors in People Scotland, said: “The results of this important survey highlight the requirement for Scottish businesses to be given the confidence and support to employ and invest in younger members of staff.

“Giving people the opportunities to succeed is at the heart of our operations and we recognise the challenges faced by businesses in recruiting the right people. With IIYP we aim to help Scottish businesses recruit and develop young people, to ensure we build a dynamic and productive workforce across the country.”

Ross Martin, chief executive at SCDI, said:  “The Scottish workforce needs young people, for new ideas, for creativity, for future-proofing successful business strategies. This survey shows how far we have to go in terms of engagement, starting with a recognition that relationships with young people are key in a society that has often demonised them, decried their abilities or simply dismissed their input. I’d encourage all employers to consider benefitting from work placements, modern apprenticeships or graduate interns, as we ourselves do; giving young people that crucial first step on their road to being productively economically active.”

For further information about IIYP, please call 0131 625 0155 or visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/investors-young-people

To view the Skills Pulse Survey, please visit http://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/media/514966/scdi_summer_2014.pdf

 

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