Qualification aims to help youngsters get into work

A work-based qualification aimed at giving unemployed young people the chance to demonstrate they are ready to work has been backed by Scottish businesses.

The new employer-assessed Certificate of Work Readiness consists of college-based learning time and 190 hours of real-life work experience.

It has been developed with the business community and aims to give unemployed young people the chance to demonstrate the value they bring to the workplace.

Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance, said: “We are all too aware, that in times of economic difficulty, it is younger people, unable to get a job because they lack experience and can’t build up the skills they need, who suffer the most.

“The Certificate of Work Readiness seeks to change all that. It includes a unique employer-assessed work experience placement, providing a meaningful qualification and a credible standard employers can recognise and trust.

“Even if that employer doesn’t have a permanent job available, the young person can leave with evidence of their employability which they can use when applying for jobs.”