Youth work has been hailed as one of the most effective ways of helping unemployed youngsters into jobs, after a string of charities and groups won national awards for employability work.

The awards have led to claims that youth groups are succeeding where others have failed in helping jobless young people.

The Callander Youth Project Trust (CYPT), was recently named Scotland's top youth work project for 2015, for an employability programme based around a cafe in the town.

The CYPT, which works with young people aged 11-25, offers an SQA Steps to Work programme, Modern Apprenticeships, and a number of other employment schemes, while its internal social enterprise wing offers young people the chance to develop practical skills in catering, hospitality and tourism. As such jobs are in demand locally, many of the participants go on to find work.

The scheme was acclaimed for being highly effective at Youthlink Scotland's National Youth Worker of the Year awards.

Other winners at the awards included Jacqui Kennedy and Sue Cook from the

Prince's Trust in Glasgow and West Lothian who have helped more than 1,000 youngsters into work or business. Meanwhile Captain Darren Hughes of the Army Cadets in Glasgow also picked up an award in recognition of his work helping young people gain skills valued by employers. Another winner, Ian Fraser of Skillforce works with some of the young people who are furthest from the job market in North Lanarkshire and boasts of 92% success rate in finding them work or training.

Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, said such success rates were impressive. "The Youth Work Sector has a substantial and yet largely unrecognised role in increasing the employability and resilience of our young people - particularly those furthest away from the labour market or further training," he said.

"The Princes Trust, through a series of highly innovative Team programmes help young people set and achieve their goals through intensive 12 week inputs with follow up support. Callander Youth Project provide a raft of opportunities to enhance employability including modern apprenticeships accredited Steps to Work and other programmes linked to local labour markets."

Meanwhile many people would not know that the Army Cadet Force offers a series of nationally-accredited skill based opportunities to their young members, he said. "Youth work is an unsung hero in what is a major plank of policy aimed at creating a skilled and fulfilled young workforce, willing and able to take up the opportunities available to them."

Scottish youth workers in charities, youth groups and uniformed organisations such as the Scouts and cadets work with more than 300,000 young people every week.

Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People, said:

"As a former volunteer youth worker myself, I know youth work can bring challenges, but also delivers some very satisfying results.

"This government recognises the value of youth work and the contribution of volunteers who give up their own precious time."

Chris Martin of The Callander Youth Project Trust said: "It's great to be recognised but for us to be able to say that 100% of our young people go onto a positive destination rate is what it is all about."