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 "ambitious" 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.

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.

Ministers are also aiming to have all secondary schools in active partnerships with employers by 2018/19.

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.

"The youth employment strategy being published today outlines what we plan to do to equip our young people with the skills and knowledge they need from the early years right through to the senior phase and into an apprenticeship, further and higher education, and a job.

"At its heart are our detailed plans to implement the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, reflecting its vision for an improved system of vocational education that opens up work opportunities to everyone, whatever their background or gender."

Youth and women's employment minister Annabelle Ewing said the Government is working towards having 30,000 new modern apprenticeship opportunities every year from 2020.

A further £16.6 million has been allocated in the draft Scottish budget for next year to take forward the measures in the new strategy, she said.

Jane Peckham, of the teachers' union NASUWT, said: "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."