Tackling the jobless figure among youths

Businesses of all sizes in West Lothian are invited to the launch of a new programme aimed at tackling youth unemployment.

The Economic Conference 2016 will see West Lothian Chamber of Commerce unveil their response to the Developing Young Workforce Programme, The Scottish Government’s strategy for reducing youth unemployment by 40 per cent by 2021.

Duncan Whitehead, Ernst and Young’s head of economic advisory in Scotland, will launch this latest drive by the chamber to support young people in the area into employment when he addresses the conference at Howden Park Centre in Livingston on Wednesday ( September 21). The conference will start at 4.30pm and registration is free.

Linda Scott, CEO of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are encouraging all businesses across West Lothian to attend this important event, not just for the networking it will offer. Delegates will learn about the advantages to their business of collaborating with education providers in the region to ensure young people emerge from schools and colleges ‘work ready’.

“Very small businesses and f a m i l y - own e d enterprises have just as much to contribute as large employers when it comes to ensuring tomorrow’s workforce will have skills that are relevant to the economy.”

Under their initiative, the chamber aims to develop an employer and education hub supported by technology which will provide an opportunity for employers to post opportunities for young people.

The portal will also be a forum for schools and educators to post what they want in terms of support from business, for example, skills sessions, industry insight presentations, mock interviews, work tasters or competitions to get kids engaged in industry.

Rodney Ayre, senior department manager of Mitsubishi Electric who chairs the DYW West Lothian board said: “Relationships between business and education are more important now than ever. This is an excellent initiative that has the potential to transform how we do that in West Lothian and I would urge all businesses to get involved.”

Mhairi Harrington, OBE, principal and CE of West Lothian College, added: “Whilst we have some examples of great education and business links in West Lothian, this initiative aims to significantly increase the volume and breadth of these connections to really support young people for work readiness whether straight from school, college or through an apprenticeship.”

Vi s i t htt p s :// www. e v e n t b r i t e . c o. u k / e / economic- conferencetickets-27301771333.