Charter to boost employability and skills
Apprentices in the Western Isles will be among the first in Scotland to be supported in the process of accessing lowcost housing as part of a new initiative to encourage young people to stay in the islands.
The innovative commitment is a key feature of a new charter agreement which was signed last week between Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness.
The charter is a first-of-itskind agreement between a local authority and SDS, outlining a joint commitment to developing, delivering and monitoring services to ensure the needs of the people in the Western Isles are met in terms of education, employment and skills for the benefit of the islands’ economy.
The agreement was signed by SDS chairman Frank Mitchell and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar chief executive Malcolm Burr, with Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse MSP. Mr Burr said: ‘This charter will deliver a unified approach and will support young people throughout the Western Isles on behalf of the local authority, Scottish Government and SDS, and in full collaboration with local providers.
‘As part of the agreement, the comhairle has committed to providing low-cost housing for apprentices as a means to encourage young people to stay in the islands.
‘The comhairle is committed to reversing depopulation and this agreement, through the combined offer of an apprenticeship and housing, will enable young people to earn, learn and live in the islands, providing them with further opportunity to stay in their own communities.’