Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal approximately 20% of 16-24 year olds in the UK are unemployed. Independent research places this at a higher than average 25% in Scotland as one in five in this age group struggle to find and retain long term employment and around 36,000 young Scots are not engaged with any education, training or employment programmes.

Both North and South of the Border, a number of initiatives exist to develop the infrastructure for opportunities around education, skills development and entry into the employment market. However, despite this investment, and an ongoing unarguable commitment by those involved, the issue of young people unable to find (and retain) employment remains unresolved.

In their 2011 election manifesto, the SNP pledged support and investment in Youth Employment in Scotland  with significant investment in more apprenticeship places and significant (additional) investment in both college bursaries and additional training. But what will this mean in real terms? Perhaps improvements are being made in the short term as more young people remain in education or follow vocational education and training routes – but where are the jobs once these training schemes are finished?

The manifesto continues on to outline some ambitious intentions around helping young Scots find work, making training work better, supporting enterprise and employability.

This timely conference assesses the needs of our young people facing unemployment, identifying what can be done nationally, locally and within individual organisations to support youth employment in Scotland. It will identify how we ensure that young people have the professional skills and personal attributes to suit the jobs that are available, as well as making them generally employable, and what employers need from the education system, skills programmes and the Government to make employment sustainable. Crucially, it will also discuss how these can be put into action, taken forward by those who have the power to make real change.

Join us as at this one day event  led by the education, skills and business communities, to progress joint working to improve the employment opportunities of Scotland’s young people.

“Tackling youth unemployment is a priority for the UK Government. I have organised a number of seminars across Scotland to look at practical ways policymakers and those working on the frontline can make a difference to the lives of young people in Scotland and their chances in the job market. I hope the Holyrood conference will help take that agenda forward.” 
Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland   August 2011

"No young person should go through school only to become an unemployment statistic at the age of 16" Alex Salmond, First Minister for Scotland, September 2011 (launching the Scottish Government's Programme for Government, 7 September)

"The Scottish Government is determined to work with our partners to provide opportunities for all our young people to move towards sustained employment.
Our young people are part of Scotland's future and we owe it to them to create the conditions that encourage economic growth and give them the skills they need to move  into the jobs that emerge"
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, The Scottish Goverment    (Conference Keynote)  September 2011


Who should attend?

The event is designed for those involved in all stages of the learning, skills and employment process particularly, although not restricted to:

• MCMC and 16+ Learning Choice Co-ordinators
• Education Directors and Policy Teams
• Employment and Training Teams
• Skills Development Managers
• Apprenticeship Scheme Directors
• Heads of education establishments - HE, FE and Secondary
• Curriculum Managers
• Employment Liaision and Employability Managers
• JobCentre Plus Advisors
• Policy makers and other influencers with an interest in unemployment, the youth sector and social mobility