Associate feature: We must make the right decisions now for our young people’s future

We must not risk the potential for significant and life-long scarring caused by youth unemployment. We must make the right decisions now for our young people’s future and we can do this by listening and learning from work that has gone before.

Prior to Covid-19, too many young people were being excluded from the opportunity to fulfil their potential due to circumstances beyond their control. Now with a generation of young people at risk we must ensure that young people who face the greatest barriers in their lives; compounded by poverty, difficult family circumstances, trauma, experience of the care system, or with caring responsibilities are rapidly engaged in activity that provides support, skills and preparation for the post Covid-19 job market. We must ensure that no young person is left behind.

This is what young people want and need, and it works."

12 years ago, Inspiring Scotland was launched to work in partnership with Scotland’s charities, Scottish Government, private investors and Trusts and Foundations to tackle youth unemployment in a long term and focused way. We are proud of the role we played in contributing to Scotland’s efforts in securing it’s pre-covid youth unemployment record lows and we are ready again.

Our Future Now is our youth employment successor fund, working with 12 high potential charities exceptionally well-placed to make lasting changes in young people’s lives, these charities support young people in their communities and schools, at home, and in their workplaces - at their pace, and for as long as they need. This is what young people want and need, and it works.

As we come together to do our best for young people across Scotland, I ask that we look to approaches and interventions which have delivered successfully, effectively and at scale in the past. With the investors who are already backing Our Future Now and the commitment and drive of the charities involved we are committed to rise to this challenge. It will take a cross-sector collective effort and we are determined to use, and share our experience, energy and passion to help young people across Scotland.

This piece was sponsored by Inspiring Scotland