Glasgow City Council announces new education and employment funding » Local Government » 24dash.com

Glasgow City Council is to invest £250,000 in a new strategy aimed at helping those who are furthest from work or training in what is believed to be a Scottish first.

Launching the initiative today, Wednesday October 8, Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said the money would be used to develop new initiatives aimed at helping around 3000 young Glaswegians get into education, employment or training.

The More Choices More Chances project will also pull together the work of Glasgow City Council and partner organisations, including Local Regeneration Agencies, Skills Development Scotland and the West of Scotland Colleges Partnership to ensure a co-ordinated approach across the city in supporting these young people.

At an event in the City Chambers today, Cllr Purcell and representatives from the partner organisations signed an agreement committing them to the strategy. The document clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of each of the partner organisations, which will remove duplication which has existed in the city.

The 3000 young people are described as being “not in education, employment or training” and have traditionally been the most difficult section of Glasgow’s citizens to target in employment or training initiatives.

As part of the strategy, the Council will offer more vocational training places to school pupils and assist more young people currently in the MCMC category in accessing Get Ready for Work places via Skills Development Scotland.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Purcell said: “This initiative will make a real difference to the lives of young people in Glasgow.

“We have an opportunity over the next few years, particularly with the 2014 Commonwealth Games coming, to ensure everyone benefits from what the event will bring, and the legacy it will leave behind for the city.

“We want to give people the skills to find work and fulfil their aspirations for a brighter future. This new project is another example of the steps we’re taking to ensure that happens.

“Although we are in the middle of global financial uncertainty, Glasgow has strong economic foundations and I am committed to ensuring that everyone in this city is able to reap the benefits from our success. The more people in employment, education or training that we have in the city, the easier it is to attract more investment and jobs, and that will leave us better placed when the economic situation improves.”

The More Choices More Chances project is being endorsed by Glasgow Works, the organisation formed to tackle worklessness issues in the city.

David Coyne, Glasgow Works executive director, said: “The development of this service level agreement is evidence of the genuine partnership among agencies in the private, public and voluntary sectors. It is an endorsement of the Glasgow Works approach, offering joined up working to support those who need most help.

“We are delighted to be part of this launch event and look forward to working closely with the Local Regeneration Agencies, Skills Development Scotland, colleges and the Council in supporting our young people. While Glasgow Works is about securing improvements in the pathway and delivery of services to all workless groups, the More Choices More Chances group of youngsters is one of the five areas in which we have a particular interest.”