TFN - Hundreds of care leavers will be helped to move into
work, training or education through a new £1 million programme announced today.
The Care Experienced Employability Programme (CEEP) is a
one-year pilot programme to help 270 young care leavers aged 16-29 to move into
appropriate work, training or educational opportunities.
CEEP will be led by the third sector Young Person’s
Consortium (YPC) which consists of Barnardo’s Scotland, Action for Children and
the Prince’s Trust.
It will offer work experience, qualifications,
practical skills, involvement in community projects and life coaching that are
focussed on the needs of the individual.
Cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work Keith
Brown, said the programme is a new approach to helping the young people who
face the biggest barriers in our society.
“It will provide wrap-around support for young people who
have been looked after at home, and who are recognised as having the most
significant challenges to accessing education and skills training
opportunities,” he said.
“Recent data shows that we have made significant progress in
tackling youth unemployment and Scotland currently has the second lowest youth
unemployment rate in Europe, after Germany, with levels at the lowest rate since
records began.
“By supporting more young care leavers to access employment,
training and education opportunities and close the attainment gap with their
peers, we are sending a clear signal that we are determined to go further.
“We have set an ambitious target of achieving a 55%
progression rate for the programme in year one to ensure this is delivered.”
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, added:
“Barnardo’s Works partnership with the Prince’s Trust and Action for Children
will give care experienced young people the opportunity to access
apprenticeships and jobs with training, working with our wide range of employer
partners.
“This is a golden opportunity to make a step change in how
we support care experienced young people on to apprenticeships and jobs. This
is a group of young people who are often at the back of the queue when it comes
to having that opportunity.
“The partnership is delighted to be able to support Scottish
Government in helping to make this significant change.”
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