« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Ministerial Foreword
Since devolution, the Scottish Executive has maintained a strong focus on tackling poverty and disadvantage. Substantial investment in social inclusion and strategies for enterprise and lifelong learning 1 centring on the critical interface between learning, social inclusion and economic competitiveness have altered the landscape of opportunity for young people in Scotland dramatically. Scotland has, for instance, one of the highest rates of employment for 15-19 year olds in the OECD2. Yet we still have too many young people who are not in education, employment or training ( NEET).
Against this background of historically high-levels of employment and low levels of unemployment, Scotland faces a challenge in the proportion of its 16-19 year olds who are NEET. In NEET status we often see the product of earlier disadvantage. The young people experiencing NEET today are more likely to become the economically inactive of tomorrow. This is a challenge which requires specific attention if we are to achieve our vision for a strong, ambitious Scotland as its characteristics are distinctive and its impact far-reaching.
Our stretching targets on Closing the Opportunity Gap ( CtOG) provide a fresh opportunity to redouble our efforts for these young people. CtOG sets out a renewed focus on tackling poverty in Scotland and demands action to turn around some of the most damning features of the country's profile within the next five years. Overall, in its aspirations for educational attainment, care leavers and children's services, CtOG places particular importance on the needs of young people. In doing so it recognises, as this strategy does, the importance of early intervention to support those who are at risk of experiencing disadvantage in later life.
The impact of NEET is twofold: it stands in the way of individuals and society achieving optimum economic productivity and social inclusion. This is a strategy for both the current stock of young people who are NEET, and for those many more thousands who are at risk of falling into this group if we do not get better at linking opportunity with need. Given that low attainment is a characteristic of this group, it recognises that participating in education and training - rather than employment in jobs without training - is the most effective way of enabling these young people to access and sustain employment opportunities throughout their adult lives.
Our objective is to eradicate the problem of NEET in Scotland. Our commitment and impetus to tackle this will be reinforced by a national partnership of business and education leaders who will help us get to the heart of the challenge. The actions put forward in More Choices, More Chances are intended to underpin the efforts required across government to turn the problem on its head and realise the potential of these young people. They are undoubtedly challenging. But the economic, social and human cost which NEET represents is simply too great to ignore.
 |  |
Nicol Stephen MSP
Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning | Peter Peacock MSP
Minister for Education and Young People |
« Previous | Contents | Next »