A new scheme to dramatically improve job prospects for school leavers is being endorsed by major blue chip businesses in the Capital.
The ‘Edinburgh Guarantee’ is being led by The City of Edinburgh Council and has received significant support from companies like JP Morgan, Microsoft and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
It aims to increase the number of jobs, education and training opportunities available to young people in the Capital.
If the recommendations are approved by The City of Edinburgh Council, the Council will create 50 new apprenticeships and provide training support for a further 80 school leavers. Twenty of these places will be for those who traditionally find it hardest to access such opportunities having been in long term social care.
Although the number of school leavers gaining employment has increased recently the Capital is still below the national average – with 538 young people last year leaving school with no career path and going into unemployment.
The ‘Edinburgh Guarantee’ has already made significant progress. Positive developments include:
- Significant support from the private sector with several high profile companies supporting additional opportunities for young people
- An agreement from Further Education Colleges in Edinburgh to provide an additional 30 places for school leavers in the coming year
- The Council is looking at recruiting 50 young people to a four year apprenticeship scheme
- Skills Development Scotland are working closely with the Council to try and increase the capacity and uptake of national training programmes in Edinburgh
Stephen Robertson, 17 years old, is currently on a trainee gas apprenticeship with the Council after leaving Wester Hailes Education Centre earlier in the year.
He said:- “A lot of my friends haven’t got jobs so I was really pleased to get this apprenticeship with the Council. I always wanted to be an apprentice and this was the third one I had applied for.”
Councillor Tom Buchanan, Economic Leader, said:- “School leavers are the lifeblood of this city and we need to ensure that they are given every training and employment opportunity possible.
“These are difficult economic times so it’s no surprise that the number of unemployed young people in Edinburgh has increased over the last few years and it’s important the Council and private sector work together to come up with solutions.
“I’ve been heartened by the initial responses we have had from businesses in the Capital and I’m looking forward to this Council making a real difference to young people’s lives.”
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Education Leader, said:- “Edinburgh’s next generation of school leavers have a key role to play in growing our economy and establishing a positive future for young people in the city is a priority for us.
“There are a number of initiatives being implemented to improve the numbers of young people entering college, going into work or training which are all positive steps.
“I welcome the Edinburgh Guarantee as a way of offering more opportunities for our young people to find a positive way forward after leaving school.”
The apprenticeships at the Council would be a mixture of administrative and technical roles across various departments.
