An employability scheme in South Lanarkshire has succeeded in getting 135 young people into jobs in just three months since launching in February.
The Youth Employment Initiative, a UK Government funded programme, has had 715 referrals since opening for business, and already found work for 19 per cent of them.
Funding for the YEI is matched by the European Social Fund and it aims to help 15-29 year olds find employment or accredited training, achieving concrete results quickly.
The Scottish Government working with local councils has directed the funds mainly towards recruitment incentives for employers, additional college or vocational training places and 'learning pathways' to employment.
One success story is Kirsty Ann Watson, of East Kilbride, who came to YEI when she was struggling with anxiety and depression after being in and out of a series of jobs in retail. After being told about it by a job centre advisor she found a job within a few weeks of starting the three-day-a-week course.
The 24 year old had left previous jobs after being bullied and had also been harassed by former colleagues on social media. Low pay and unreliable zero hours contracts in retail had also left her demoralised, she says.
"It was working zero hours contracts causes havoc with signing on and I was getting less every month than some people just sitting and doing nothing on benefits.
"I felt worthless and a waste of space. But the course helped me work on my CV and cover letters, and they found me a job at JNJ windows and doors in Blantyre. The hours and money would never have been possible for me in retail and it makes it worthwhile getting up in the morning," she said.
"I hated the job centre, but my advisor there Rhona Simpson has been fantastic. And the YEI team keep in touch now I'm working, they check regularly to make sure things are OK. I used to work all the hours and get nowhere. Now I am working to have a life, at the end of the day."
Chair of South Lanarkshire’s Enterprise Services Committee, Councillor Chris Thompson, said the council is committed to helping people back into work. He said: "The YEI is already showing some very encouraging signs in terms of young people finding employment in South Lanarkshire and I am delighted with its success so far.”
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