Last year the Scottish economy grew at its fastest rate since before the start of the financial crisis, with growth spread across most sectors.
Our economy is expected to return to pre-recession levels this year and the number of people in employment is now at its highest level ever.
But the recession has changed the shape of our labour market. Too many young people are out of work and too many people in work are unable to meet the needs of their families.
Youth unemployment has risen, as have levels of under-employment and part-time working.
It's important to remember that even before the recession, during a period of growth, youth unemployment at over 13 per cent was more than twice the adult rate.
Through Opportunities for All, our guarantee of a place in employment, education or training for those aged 16 to 19; by increasing the number of modern apprentices from 25,000 to 30,000 a year by 2020; and through a positive response to the Wood commission's recommendations to build a world-class vocational education system, we are working to radically reduce levels of youth unemployment.
Some 48% of Scotland's workforce is female. But we know that more women are in part-time work than men, and women predominate in what are often seen as low-paid sectors. This makes them more vulnerable to in-work poverty issues - particularly in the case of lone parents and families where one parent is working.
Later this summer we look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Working Together Review, under the chairmanship of former Enterprise Minister Jim Mather. Working with trade union colleagues, employers and academics, the review will provide advice on progressive workplace policies.
We have set out, both in Scotland's Future and in a series of publications over the last few months, our ambition to re-industrialise Scotland with a focus on boosting manufacturing, supporting innovation and enhancing our international profile.
At the centre of this is our vision for Scotland to be an innovative, high-wage and high-productivity economy that competes in international markets focused on high-value goods and services.
Getting people into work is important to delivering our economic aspirations but so too is raising skill levels in the workplace and improving the quality of work. Repeatedly we see the UK Government responding to high levels of unemployment with half-hearted and punitive supply-side measures to push people into work, any work, whether it meets their needs or not. That simply isn't good enough.
As well as repairing the damage done by the downturn, we must continue to focus on delivering sustainable economic growth over the long term. That means building a labour market and economy that is adaptable and responsive to change, which is key to ensuring that we are internationally competitive.
But it also means ensuring that we have the right balance of growth: the type of growth that cuts inequalities and lets everyone realise their potential; that reduces disparities between different parts of Scotland; and that is sustainable and resilient.
We have to enable more women to enter, sustain and progress in work across the whole of the labour market - playing to their strengths and helping them access opportunities seemingly barred to them. Occupational segregation means employers often miss out on talent and skills simply because they traditionally employ women or men.
I urge employers to look closely at the make-up of their workforce. Creating a working environment in which young people and women can thrive and progress is very much our aim and the aim of these two reviews.
That is the challenge - and opportunity - not just for review members or Scottish Government but for Scotland's employers, trade unions and social partners too.
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