This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Microsoft Government Leaders Forum
30/01/2007
An agreement between the Scottish government and Microsoft designed to help young Scots get into employment, education or training was announced today.
First Minister Jack McConnell and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates signed a joint statement of intent between the Executive and Microsoft Ltd to create a Microsoft Scotland Volunteer Corps to help address the problems of young people who are NEET (those not in education, employment or training).
The announcement came as the 4th annual Microsoft Government Leaders Forum got underway at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Mr McConnell described the agreement as a 'groundbreaking venture with a major company that should enable us to help young Scots and to pursue similar agreements with other companies in the future'.
Watch the video of the Bute House Press conference
The Statement of Intent will build on the existing secondment of a member of Microsoft Scotland's senior management team to the Executive's NEET Division.
Microsoft Scotland will:
- Create a Microsoft Scotland Volunteer Corps to increase business support for tackling the NEET challenge
- The Volunteer Corps will help mobilise Microsoft Scotland's 1,300 strong business partner network engaging their support through, e.g. work placements, help for voluntary organisations and mentoring
The Executive will:
- Access the expertise to develop the skills required by Microsoft staff in Scotland and throughout their business partner network, to work with young people in the NEET group
Watch the video of the Bute House Press conference
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Having Microsoft working with us to tackle the challenges faced by some of our young people is a tremendous step forward.
"This is a groundbreaking venture with a major company that should enable us to help young Scots and to pursue similar agreements with other companies in the future. I am determined to find new ways of tackling this problem.
"Our Scottish government and Microsoft share the ambition of helping young people to realise their full potential. The formation of a dedicated Microsoft Scotland Volunteer Corps will ensure those in the corps have the skills to help in addition to bringing with them the business knowledge, life skills and contacts that will benefit those who are not in education, employment or training."
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said:
"Microsoft is pleased to work with the Scottish government to help address the important issue of young people who are unemployed and lack access to education or training. We hope that by working with our business partners in Scotland and the Scottish government, we can help young people gain the skills and experience they need to participate in the knowledge economy and ultimately help the Scottish economy realise it's potential."
Earlier as the Forum opened at Holyrood Mr McConnell explained to delegates that public leadership in the 21st century is about 'building partnerships, flexibility in the face of change, and genuine dialogue with citizens'.
He said Scotland understood its responsibilities to contribute to international development and climate change and the need to embrace opportunities of globalisation and technological change.
The two-day Forum will discuss new ways for governments to harness technology to promote democracy and good government.
Mr McConnell said that since devolution eight years ago the Scottish government had forged 'new ways of doing our business' and was more successful and confident as a result.
He gave the examples of economic growth being stronger than it has been for decades, the reversal of population decline, and the renaissance in Scotland's traditional culture.
Read the full text of the FM's speech
Watch the video of the Bute House Press conference