Kick StartFalkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is backing an initiative launched by the First Minister and Falkirk FC to assist local youngsters who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The ‘Kick Start’ initiative will see all 12 SPL clubs commit to working with the Scottish Executive to increase their efforts to provide the type of training and skills that will help young Scots towards jobs. The First Minister said Kick Start would exploit the “the unique ability of football teams to reach young people who have slipped through the net.” “We have introduced a range of initiatives aimed at supporting young people," said Cathy, "including raising the school leaving age, new Skills Academies and a Full Employment Agency, which will make a real difference to local youngsters who want to access jobs, training or education. Our priority for the forthcoming election is clear – we want to ensure that no young person is Scotland is left behind. Kick Start provides a great opportunity for local youngsters. SPL football clubs inspire many youngsters and have a range of opportunities, including marketing, catering, retail and transport employment and training .” "These clubs already run some excellent learning programmes. Kick Start will step up some of those and introduce new ones where they don’t already exist. We want role models within Falkirk FC to help inspire and motivate young people. The NEET strategy – More Choices, More Chances – is about ensuring every young person gets the best possible start in life, fulfils their potential and is not held back by a lack of ambition - theirs or others. We need to make sure that they can always 'do something' with the right support, so that ‘doing nothing’ is not an option."
(February 2007) |
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