Young people across Perth and Kinross have been given an extra lift to help them find employment.
A new scheme has been launched that aims to help 90 jobseekers aged between 16 and 24 years into work.
The Youth Employment Scotland Fund (YESF) has been adopted by Perth and Kinross Council in a bid to encourage local businesses to take part.
Under the YESF, the council will pay 50% of a young person’s salary at the national minimum wage rate, as well as for an additional £500-worth of certificated vocational training.
The initiative has already attracted the support of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
Briony Blair, of St Martin’s, is the first person to be employed using the YESF and started her job as the charity’s events and volunteers coordinator in July.
She welcomed the project, saying: “The employment market is pretty difficult for young people these days, so the YESF is a great way to get into work to gain experience, learn new skills and get valuable training.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying my job with the charity air ambulance and would encourage other young people in Perth and Kinross to take advantage of Youth Employment Scotland Funding.”
Enterprise and infrastructure convener, Councillor John Kellas, visited the SCAA headquarters at Perth Airport to meet Briony, as well as officially launching the YESF scheme and urging others to get on board.
He said: “This funding is to be warmly welcomed.
“It will provide 90 local young people with crucial employment skills, experience and training that they can take on into their working lives.
“It will also link local employers with young, enthusiastic staff. A lot of excellent work is alreadybeing done by the council and our partners to support local people back into work.
“With the labour market continuing to look very uncertain going forward,especially for young people, it is important that we continue to put in place a range of effective measures to support people to find work and improve the employability skills of our local workforce.”
In addition to providing funding, Perth and Kinross Council is also offering jobseekers and employers a recruitment service for the YESF scheme through the Hub employment advice centre in Perth.
The Youth Employment Scotland Fund was launched by the Scottish Government and the European Social Fund in June.
It is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to help unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds into work, as well as creating growth in small and medium-sized enterprises by investing in fresh talent.
To qualify for YESF young people must be aged between 16 and 24 and have been unemployed for under 6 months.
Any local companies that wish to get involved with the project must fit the strict criteria of employing fewer than 250 people and have a turnover that does not exceed £40 million per annum.
The contract of employment offered by participating companies to the young people must last for 26 weeks for a minimum of 25 hours a week, up to a maximum of 40 hours.
Those interested in taking part, either as a jobseeker or employer, should contact the Hub on 01738 636897, or email thehub@pkc.gov.uk.