Improving employability
The Committee agreed to hold a series of oral evidence sessions prior to summer recess to explore the need to improve the employability of individuals experiencing high levels of multiple deprivation as a prerequisite to increasing sustainable economic growth. In particular the Committee has agreed to explore the following—
- current initiatives to improve the employability of individuals experiencing high levels of multiple deprivation, including the use of modern apprenticeships, work and training places;
- how such initiatives are being evaluated;
- the relative success of such interventions;
- what barriers to success there have been; and
- what further action could be taken.
The findings from these sessions will then help to inform the focus on economic growth in scrutinising the draft budget 2013-14 in the autumn.
Evidence session on 16 May 2012
Evidence sessions on 23 May 2012
Evidence session on 30 May 2012
Evidence session on 13 June 2012
The Committee has produced a summary of evidence and agreed further action.
The Committee to write to all local authorities and NHS boards to seek information on the steps each body is taking to offer employment opportunities, including Modern Apprenticeships, to individuals furthest from the employment market, such as individuals experiencing high levels of multiple deprivation, care leavers, looked-after young people and the long-term unemployed.
Read the submissions received
On Friday 28 September 2012, the Finance Committee held three workshops across Scotland with key employability stakeholders. Please see the workshop summaries below:
Report