Better Work Opportunities

An additional £2 million is to be spent getting young people into work across the Kingdom.

Councillors want to match schools and local businesses to help build workforces of the future.

The announcement comes just days after the SNP voiced fears that a work and apprenticeship scheme could run out of money due to high demand.

Depute council leader Councillor Lesley Laird, said: 

"Projects like the FYJC has helped Fifers aged 16 – 24 find employment. Now we are aiming to match schools and local business to help build the workforce of the future. It’s through initiatives like this that have helped put Fife at the forefront of employability.

"We are not complacent and we know there's so much more to be done so this additional investment will help the council take a stronger preventative approach.

"By working together we will help people find their way into a job and to prevent future long term unemployment.

"A range of successful measures which have already produced results will be used. Initiatives like pre-recruitment training and skills building for those looking for work, to wage subsidies for employers and pre-recruitment training. We will also look to maximise the council's funding through working with partners which allows us to apply for additional funding too.

"But it's also the strong partnership and the links with Fife's employers that will help us deliver. I am delighted to see so many employers wanting to get involved and would encourage all Fife employers, large or small, to get in touch and join this initiative."

Councillor Tony Martin chair of Opportunities Fife partnership and Fife Council's Youth Ambassador said: 

"The Fife Youth Job Contract has been extremely successful creating over 475 opportunities for 16 - 24 year olds.

"In particularly difficult financial circumstances, I welcome the further resources the council has allocated to the Opportunities Fife Partnership. 

"Over the next few years further difficult decisions have to be made if the council is to balance the budget. I remain confident that appropriately funded employability pathways will continue to be a priority for Fife Council."

Hugh Logan Principal and Chief Executive of Fife College said: 

"The event was an excellent chance for organisations to share work being done and start to develop a shared agenda of how we will tackle unemployment in Fife. I look forward to working together with other partners to continue to build on what's already been achieved and welcome this week’s funding news."

Eric Byiers, Chief Executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce said: 

"It's great to hear that the council has reinforced its commitment to helping those trying to find work with this additional funding. Fife’s businesses will also benefit from this investment.

"Getting employers involved in this type of programme alongside a joint approach with our schools and college to tackle both youth unemployment and skill shortages will benefit the whole Fife economy as well as individual young people and employers. It was good to see so many businesses represented at the meeting earlier this week and it is important that we maintain this commitment to joint working in taking these initiatives forward."