MORE young Scots are aiming to be their own bosses in the wake of an economic crisis that has stirred an entrepreneurial mood among young people, Prince Charles's charity has claimed.
The Princes Trust said problems finding work have led to people taking the view that self-employment is a means to break the cycle of joblessness.
Its study of more than 1600 people aged 16 to 30 found one in four north of the Border believed they would set up their own firms in the future.
The charity found one in five expect to be self-employed within the next five years.
Alan Kennedy, operations director in Scotland, said: "This research reveals an increasingly entrepreneurial mood among young people in Scotland.
"Five years on from the start of the recession, youth unemployment remains high and many are seeing self- employment as a way to break the cycle of joblessness.
"It is critical that we nurture young people's passion for business and invest in the next generation."
Melissa Curry is one such young businesswoman, who found success after turning a passion for hair and beauty into her own salon in Glasgow's west end.
The 24-year-old had limited work experience and was finding that her lack of hands-on training a barrier to full-time employment.
She had also been struck down with a virus that left her with ongoing problems with her immune system.
During a stay in hospital, Melissa found out about the Prince's Trust's Enterprise programme, which gave her the help and support needed to open Macs Glasgow Hair & Beauty in 2011.
She said: "I gained so much confidence with The Prince's Trust and I thank them for that – they saw something employers didn't.
"After a turbulent couple of years I now have an exciting future ahead of me in doing something I love.
"Every day is different, which is exciting. I work hard at being my own boss and when the day is over I go home with a real sense of self-achievement."
While only 5% of young people across the United Kingdom are self-employed, one in four in Scotland claim they are increasingly thinking of setting up in business.
Almost one in five young Scots said they would rather try to set up their own firm than seek jobs in today's competitive market.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of self-employed young people across the UK has already risen by 71,000 since the start of the economic crisis.
While many young people in Scotland have considered setting up a business, many said they were being held back due to worries about funding or lack of support.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "We are seeing a new spirit of entrepreneurship continue to grow across Scotland.
"It is enormously encouraging to see that our young people are ambitious for the future, and the Scottish Government has full confidence in our young entrepreneurs."
The research also shows that some 44% of self-employed young people across the UK feel more confident about their business than this time last year, while a total of 40% expect to see business improve in the next six months.
The Prince's Trust has helped 80,000 young entrepreneurs to date with support from funders such as the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
Chris Sullivan, chief executive of RBS's corporate banking said: "It is of particular importance in these tough economic times to provide support for some of the most disadvantaged young people in the country."
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