17 June 2010

Smith questions Minister during statement about supporting young people

Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning today made a statement about supporting young people in the current economic climate. Ms Smith questioned Mr Brown about the scrapping of Scottish Enterprise's Graduates for Business Scheme which had placed around 250 graduates with Scottish Companies. The initiative had been highly successful with two thirds of the graduates being employed directly by the companies following their internship. Commenting Smith said:

"I simply asked the Minister what was being done to replace this very successful scheme. I have two sons graduating this summer and I think the Government needs to take swift action to support student leavers.

"The Minister's confirmation that a similar scheme will begin this summer is a step in the right direction. We will continue to push the Government to provide the necessary support for our young people in these difficult times."

Mr Brown confirmed that a similar scheme - the talent Scotland Graduate Placement Programme - will be rolled out at the end of the month by Scottish Enterprise. Over the next three years the scheme hopes to place around 720 graduates in three month to twelve month projects with businesses in Scotland.