With the launch last week of the UK Government's Youth Contract, this supplement reflects the debate surrounding the £1bn scheme.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith describes how the UK and Scottish Governments are working together to tackle youth unemployment.
Holyrood researcher Jennifer Drummond reports from the magazine's Apprenticeships and Training Summit.
Reporter Paris Gourtsoyannis highlights a private sector initiative to make business more socially responsible. Asda's David Paterson describes the supermarket's efforts to support young people in establishing a career.
Education correspondent Keri Sutherland interviews Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell on reform of the curriculum and a report on university entrants finds bias in top institutions against state school pupils - but that Glasgow and Edinburgh are working hard to address the issue.
For advertising and sponsorship, contact Chris Woodcock on 0131 272 3112 or chris@holyrood.com.
For editorial, contact Will Peakin on 0131 270 7091 orwill@holyrood.com . |
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Briefing - Skills & Employability
Move to close gap with business
A 'yawning gulf' has opened up between the education system and the labour market, according to small businesses.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said more needs to be done to promote interaction between education authorities and employers, to ensure young people entering the workplace have the skills they require.
Mary Goodman, senior policy adviser with the FSB, told members of Holyrood's Education Committee that the national Employer Skills Survey had consistently returned results that corroborate anecdotal evidence about a lack of so-called 'soft skills' - for example, communication and interpersonal skills, team building and problem solving... |
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 'Be bold', Parliament told
Report from Holyrood magazine's Apprenticeships and Training Summit 2012
Last year, the Scottish Government announced their commitment to deliver an impressive 'Opportunities for All' programme, including the creation of 25,000 Modern... |
 Contract scheme launch
Scottish event previewed launch of 1bn youth employment initiative
Scotland needs its two governments and employers to work together to create work opportunities for young people across the country, said Secretary... |
 Flying the flag
We all have a responsibility to work together to prevent a 'lost generation' of young people
The current economic climate is difficult for many people across society, however, it's Scotland's young... |
 Independent thought
Despite the constitutional debate, the UK and Scottish Governments are working together
There has, of course, been a lot of talk about independence recently. But what we shouldn't lose sight of... |
 Help for the 'lost' generation
Political will needed to build a more flexible and clever employment system in Scotland
Scotland-wide, the youth unemployment crisis is affecting 102,000 16-24 year olds [SPICe 23/3/12].
From Scotland's graduate community and those who have lost jobs due to the economic downturn to apprentices who have 'served their time' and found no sustainable employment and school leavers with none too many qualifications, young people across Scotland are stuck on the job-hunting treadmill.
The... |
Beyond wealth
9 April 2012
 Business has to overcome public mistrust and talk up its role in society, says the CBI's Neil Carberry
With economic growth stalled and unemployment still inching upwards, it's clear that business in the UK is still battling to exit its most difficult period in living memory. On top of the economic... |
 The big idea
As headlines cast doubt on recent education reforms, Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell defended the stability of the sector
Newspapers generated a hazardous slalom for the Education Secretary last month. A slew... |
 Access denied
Top universities' bias against state-school pupils but Glasgow and Edinburgh fare better
More than two-fifths of UK universities are still admitting fewer state-school pupils than expected.
And around half are failing to recruit enough students from poorer backgrounds, despite attempts to boost their numbers.
Overall, 88.7 per cent... |
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