Activity Agreements give unemployed yougn people aged 16 to 19 the chance to take part in a programme of learning and activity which helps them to become ready for formal learning or employment. Following recent independent research we found some positive feedback on this scheme from the young people.
Elizabeth Turnbull, 16+ Manager for Schools and Community Services, tells us about the findings.
YouthLink Scotland commissioned Blake Stevenson Ltd to undertake research with participants involved in Activity Agreements including a group of young people from Edinburgh. They undertook the research between August and December 2013.
The purpose of the research was to explore participants’ views in order to understand how best to reach and support young people furthest from the labour market. It also sought to find what input most helps them progress to employment, further learning and training.
The findings from the research were very positive:
- 98% said that staff were supportive
- 96% of participants said they would recommend Activity Agreements to a friend
- 93% said their chances of gaining a job or going to college or training had improved
- 92% said they had learned new skills
- 91% said they felt more confident
The recommendations from young people on how Activity Agreement delivery could be improved were very practical and will on the whole be easy to adopt.
