Employment remains one of the biggest hurdles facing the young
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds need more support into employment, a leading charity has warned.
It comes as a poll of 1,000 people, conducted by Action for children, found 52% think young people lack employment opportunities.
The charity supports 1,000 of the country’s hardest to reach young people each year through its cluster of 12 employability services.
Now it is urging others to follow their lead in employing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
To date, the charity has employed more than 100 young people who have previously been supported by one of its 75 services across Scotland.
Recently the charity conducted research into their involvement with the Community Jobs Scotland scheme.
It showed that since April 2015, Action for Children has provided opportunities to 70 young people through the scheme with 74% reaching a positive destination at the end - either remaining in employment with the charity, employed elsewhere or re-engaged with education.
Commenting, Paul Carberry, Action for Children director for Scotland, said: “Our research shows us that a majority of respondents believe there still aren’t enough opportunities out there for young people.
“We know that when given the chance to work young people take it with both hands, they are dedicated and strive to learn and improve. At Action for Children, we are very proud to provide job opportunities to young people we have previously given support to and to see three quarters retain employment with us, find employment elsewhere or back in education.
“Whether they have been in a children’s home or in foster care through to those with a criminal conviction, there are still too many young people out there who experience significant barriers when it comes to accessing employment and training.
“I believe we all have a duty, whether that’s private, public or third sector, in doing all we can to ensure every young person in Scotland has the same chance of making that first step onto the employment ladder. We're moving in the right direction but there is still more that we can do.”
