SkillseekersSkillseekersBy Scott and AnisaBy Scott and Anisa

Skillseekers is a training programme run by Local Enterprise Skillseekers is a training programme run by Local Enterprise Companies in Scotland. Companies in Scotland.

It encourages employers to train young people age 16-24 towards a It encourages employers to train young people age 16-24 towards a recognised workplace qualification by helping them with the cost of recognised workplace qualification by helping them with the cost of training. training.

Most young people involved in Skillseekers are in employment, but Most young people involved in Skillseekers are in employment, but there are also training places for those having difficulty in finding a job.there are also training places for those having difficulty in finding a job.

Most young people involved in Skillseekers are in employment, but Most young people involved in Skillseekers are in employment, but there are also training places for those having difficulty in finding a job.there are also training places for those having difficulty in finding a job.

Benefits of SkillseekersBenefits of Skillseekers

Greater choice of career opportunities.Greater choice of career opportunities. Practical and relevant job training.Practical and relevant job training. The skills and experience to do the job.The skills and experience to do the job. Gives a nationally recognised qualification.Gives a nationally recognised qualification. Improved career prospects.Improved career prospects. Guarantees young people an allowance.Guarantees young people an allowance.

The system has been criticised because:The system has been criticised because:

It has cost It has cost 240 Million pounds.240 Million pounds. 50 thousand youngsters received vocational 50 thousand youngsters received vocational

qualifications but it is thought three quarters of them qualifications but it is thought three quarters of them would have been trained even if the programme did not would have been trained even if the programme did not existexist..

Results from the Skillseekers programme were patchy Results from the Skillseekers programme were patchy throughout the country, but that half of all trainees who throughout the country, but that half of all trainees who started on the scheme failed to get a vocational started on the scheme failed to get a vocational qualification.qualification.

ImprovementsImprovements ““Value for money can be improved by bringing in more employers who Value for money can be improved by bringing in more employers who

would not train to VQ standards without support and be happy to would not train to VQ standards without support and be happy to receive help in training the trainees, receive help in training the trainees,

he use of better management information, he use of better management information, and by more benchmarking across the LEC (Local Enterprise and by more benchmarking across the LEC (Local Enterprise

Company) network to spread good practice."Company) network to spread good practice." The auditors have made a number of recommendations to improve the The auditors have made a number of recommendations to improve the

system including setting new targets and monitoring quality.system including setting new targets and monitoring quality. Unemployment in Scotland has been at the lowest levels for 23 years.Unemployment in Scotland has been at the lowest levels for 23 years. The number of people out of work and claiming benefit is 123,400, or The number of people out of work and claiming benefit is 123,400, or

5.1% of the population.5.1% of the population. Ministers have said they are determined to continue efforts to improve Ministers have said they are determined to continue efforts to improve

the figures.the figures.