A MAJOR drive to bring down spiralling rates of youth unemployment in Scotland has been set in motion.

First Minister Alex Salmond said a teenager should not come through the school system simply to end up as an "unemployment statistic", with figures showing that almost one in three of those now out of work in Scotland is aged between 18 and 24.

The Scottish Government is working directly with potential employers to open up job opportunities for young people.

Angela Constance, the first Minister for Youth Unemployment, yesterday visited Hewlett Packard in Erkine, Renfrewshire, and the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow to see their work in bringing down rates of youth joblessness.

She said a new Opportunities for All programme will ensure every 16 to 19-year-old will be offered a suitable place in learning or training, but called on employers to come up with innovative ways to cut the number of young people looking for work.

Ms Constance said: "We recognise that our response to youth unemployment must go beyond education and training.

"Throughout my adult life I have maintained the view that our young people's life chances are best served by a Parliament with full job-creating powers.

"However, irrespective of the powers our Parliament holds, we will continue to do all we can to create the conditions for economic growth. There is no monopoly of wisdom or concern on this issue. The Scottish Government will work with any organisation, company or individual who shares our commitment to support Scotland's young people.

"By working together and taking a strategic all-Scotland approach I believe we can successfully tackle this issue and help our young people take the next steps on their own journeys."

The latest statistics show that 88,000 young people aged between 18 and 24 are unemployed, with the total adult figure standing at 231,000.

The Government's new drive on youth unemployment will see job seekers linked up with opportunities in growth industries such as energy and the low-carbon economy.

One-on-one support will be given to those furthest from the labour market, with financial support offered to employers who hire staff from the most disadvantaged groups, including those who are leaving care.

Kezia Dugdale MSP, Shadow Minister for Youth Employment, claimed the country was facing a "national youth unemployement crisis".

She said: "There are some good ideas in this strategy and a lot of warm words, but it will be judged on the opportunities it creates and how it materially affects the lives of young unemployed Scots. Scotland's young people won't be impressed by a 23-page strategy document or promises of jam tomorrow, they want a paid job today.

"The SNP repeatedly claim that it is not for government to create jobs, but are the first to claim credit when jobs are created. It must ensure every faculty of government is being utilised to its full to create jobs and opportunities for Scotland's young people."