BLES training scheme in crisis
A West Lothian charity which has helped vulnerable people get into work for three decades is at risk of closure.
Blackburn Local Employment Scheme (BLES) bosses have admitted the organisation is in crisis after Scottish Government budget cuts.
But the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, has refused to meet with Lothian MSP Neil Findlay to discuss the matter.
The charity offers 16 to 18-year-olds - many of whom have learning difficulties - the opportunity to gain recognised qualification.
BLES general manager Anne Kerr, said: “We are now in a serious crisis financially as funding continues to be cut and numbers of schools leavers reduce.
“For over 30 years, we have worked hard to develop excellent training programmes with accredited qualifications, great work experience opportunities, progression to further education, full time employment and modern apprenticeships.
“We have to recognise that we will not be able to continue to provide this nurturing environment for the future.
“Other training providers are already closing their doors or reducing their workforce. “Sadly, it looks like we will be next.” Ms Kerr also claimed that the Scottish Government’s Employability Fund was unfair on those who are unable to take on apprenticeships.
And she slammed the Education Maintainance Allowance, insisting that results aren’t recorded and the money being invested isn’t being justified.
She added: “It would seem to me, that the government’s seven year plan to develop the young workforce is great in theory, and their ambition to increase modern apprenticeships is to be applauded.
“However if all the focus is on apprenticeships, it looks like they are putting all their eggs in one basket.
“Only by supporting all young people, regardless of their ability when they leave school, will we really ‘develop the young workforce’.”
Lothian MSP Neil Findlay had requested a meeting with Keith Brown to discuss the situation but the Cabinet Secretary refused.
Mr Brown said: “I am pleased that we are able to support a further 11,650 Employability Fund training opportunities in 2016- 17 alongside the continuation of the wider package of support such as Community Jobs Scotland and Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive.
“We have set out a clear commitment to reducing 2014 levels of youth unemployment by 40 per cent by 2021 and remain committed to our ambitious target of 30,000 modern apprenticeship starts per year by 2020.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting sustainable economic growth and tackling inequalities in (West Lothian) by working closely with a wide range of delivery partners, particularly West Lothian Council and Scottish Enterprise to help to develop a more resilient economy.”
But Mr Findlay said: “I am appalled that the Cabinet Secretary has refused to meet me to discuss this situation.
“BLES has helped thousands of young people across West Lothian get into jobs and training building their confidence and life skills in the process.
“The service they provide is so very important - we cannot allow its future to be put at risk.
“I will be doing all I can to ensure that BLES continues to get the funding it needs to work with young people who are only looking for a chance to build a life and a career.”
We are now in a serious crisis financially