An additional £2 million of funding has been awarded to get more young Fifers into work.
The Fife Youth Job Contract scheme, credited with getting almost 500 young people into employment, has received the major funding boost from Fife Council.
The announcement has been made after an update on the success of the initiative by Opportunities Fife chairman Tony Martin.
As part of a wider effort to assist Fifers from areas of deprivation, the council’s depute leader, Lesley Laird, said the FYJC project was crucial to improving the futures of young people in the region.
“We are aiming to match schools and local business to help build the workforce of the future,” she said.
“It’s initiatives like this that have helped put Fife at the forefront of employability.
“We are not complacent and we know there’s so much more to be done so this additional investment will help the council take a stronger preventative approach.
“By working together we will help people find their way into a job and to prevent future long-term unemployment. I am delighted to see so many employers wanting to get involved and would encourage all Fife employers, large or small, to get in touch and join this initiative.”
The additional £2m will be aimed at helping disadvantaged young people, vulnerable adults and unemployed people from areas of deprivation to build on what is already been achieved.
Despite Fife Council’s need to find savings, the man leading the scheme says that the additional funding will be money well spent.
“In particularly difficult financial circumstances, I welcome the further resources the council has allocated to the Opportunities Fife Partnership,” Mr Martin said.
“Over the next few years further difficult decisions have to be made if the council is to balance the budget.
“I remain confident that appropriately funded employability pathways will continue to be a priority for Fife Council.”
The Fife Youth Job Contract has helped 475 Fifers between the ages of 16 and 24 into work after launching in December 2012 with a £5m budget.