PLANS to cut youth unemployment by 40% over the next seven years have been unveiled by the Scottish Government.

The new youth employment strategy follows recommendations made earlier this year by a commission led by one of the country's top businessmen, Sir Ian Wood.

The strategy will look to forge closer links between schools, colleges and employers as ministers aim for a significant reduction in joblessness among young people by 2021.

Under the plans the Scottish Government is working towards having 30,000 new modern apprenticeship opportunities every year from 2020.

And a further £16.6 million has been allocated in the draft Scottish budget for next year to take forward the measures.

Roseanna Cunningham, the Fair Work, Skills and Training Secretary, said: "Scotland's economy is growing stronger and our employment figures are improving on a monthly basis.

"However, history shows us that it is younger women and men who find it most difficult to find a job, even when our economy is at its most resilient.

"Returning to pre-recession levels of youth employment is not enough and the Scottish Government's commitment to supporting more young people towards high-quality jobs remains unwavering."

Ms Cunningham said the youth employment strategy reflected the findings of the Wood Commission's vision for a system of vocational education that opened up work opportunities to everyone, whatever their background or gender.

In June, Sir Ian's commission found that Scotland is not preparing or equipping young people for the world of work.

It found nearly a fifth of youngsters were unemployed and said Scotland should bring its youth employment down below 30,000 in line with the five best European countries by 2020. The commission also called for substantial changes to vocational education.

Measures to be put in place over the next seven years include increasing the uptake of work-related learning and qualifications in the senior school years, earlier careers guidance made available from 2015/16 and a new standard for work experience also to be introduced by next year.

Other plans include a new "pre-apprenticeship" pilot to help those furthest from the labour market get into work while ministers are also aiming to have all secondary schools in active partnerships with employers by 2018/19.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union, welcomed the move.

"In light of the real terms cut to colleges in recent years, we are pleased to see the Scottish Government has committed further investment which will go towards ensuring the strategy is carried forward," he said.

"We believe the Wood Commission report can act as a catalyst for the development of vocational education and the report highlighted the important role that colleges would play in developing experiences for young learners, as well as the importance of partnership working with schools and employers to improve learning."

Jane Peckham, of the teachers' union NASUWT, added: "For far too long vocational education has been seen as a second-class option and has not been afforded the parity of esteem it deserves.

"Improving the provision of and support for vocational education must be, as this strategy rightly recognises, at the heart of developing a skilled workforce.

"At a time of continued pressure on local authority finances, it will be vitally important to ensure this strategy is fully funded and resourced to enable young people to get the most out of the opportunities for training and learning."