This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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IT Works for young people
05/11/2001
'The Works' project, an interactive software package
aimed at preparing young people make the transition between
school and working life, was launched in West Lothian
today.
It is the result of partnership working between West
Lothian Social Inclusion Partnership, West Lothian Council,
Northern College and local pupils at St Margaret's Academy
in Livingston.
The West Lothian SIP is thematic and aims to target
children and young people across the area to assist them in
two crucial life stages: early years and the transition
from school to work.
Launching the project, Deputy Social Justice Minister
Margaret Curran said:
"Social Inclusion Partnerships are at the front end of
the Scottish Executive's social justice delivery at local
level. Working in partnership with young people improves
their life chances and helps create vibrant, inclusive
communities.
"Access to jobs depends on employability. Guidance and
support are vital and we must ensure that our young people
are as prepared as they can be to access the opportunities
available.
"'The Works' IT project is a positive example of how
SIPs are working effectively to bring young people and
organisations together to solve local problems and promote
social justice. It is encouraging to see effective
partnership working here in West Lothian.
"The Executive launched Scotland's digital inclusion
strategy earlier this year, setting out our plan for
tackling the digital divide. SIPs will also assist the
Executive in ensuring that the fast pace of change in
technology does not create more exclusion."
Social Inclusion Partnerships are partnerships
comprising the local authority and other public agencies
such as Communities Scotland, the local enterprise company,
local health board, voluntary and private sector. They have
the local community's interest at heart. They aim to get
the best out of existing initiatives and support additional
projects such as improving access to training, employment
and education, improving childcare provision and
introducing initiatives which improve peoples health and
overall quality of life.
Following an earlier announcement by the Deputy Minister
for Social Justice, West Lothian SIP now has an additional
year of operation, extending its designation until 31 March
2004. It has been allocated SIP resources of £1.261 million
over a 5 year period. The SIP fund allocation in the
current year amounts to £0.269 million.
'The Works' project is an educational software resource
produced in partnership between West Lothian Council,
Northern College and the West Lothian SIP. 'The Works' is
designed to extend user knowledge and understanding of the
labour market. It also aims to extend the skills and
techniques associated with seeking and gaining meaningful
employment. The resource will be developed as part of a
social inclusion programme, which will provide guidance and
support for school leavers and other young people who lack
the skills and confidence to enable them to access
employment opportunities in the labour market.
The digital divide in Scotland is not related to a lack
of telecommunications infrastructure - but to low income
and low skill levels. The Executive is committed to
bridging the digital divide and achieving universal access
to the Internet by 2005. The digital inclusion strategy
'Connecting Scotland's people' was launched in September
and sets out the Executive's plan for tackling the digital
divide.
ICT and the web can make an important contribution to
improving people's day to day quality of life - reducing
social exclusion, increasing social interaction and
improving access to jobs, education, entertainment,
shopping, cultural and leisure interests.
The Executive has created a network of 8 digital
champions to support and drive forward activity in Social
Inclusion Partnership areas (£1.5 million in funding).