Young Person’s Guarantee Plan launched and Flexible Workforce Development Fund extended

The Scottish Government has set a target that, within two years, every person aged between 16 and 24 will have the opportunity, depending on their circumstances, to study; take up an apprenticeship, job or work experience; or participate in formal volunteering.

It has published an Activity Plan which sets out the initial high-level activities which are required to successfully implement the Guarantee. The Plan brings together existing policies and programmes which seek to deliver the ambition of the Guarantee. These existing policies and programmes are funded and delivered by a range of partners, including Developing the Young Workforce, Skills Development Scotland, the voluntary sector and colleges. Building upon these strong foundations, this high-level Plan is intended to maximise and improve this existing work, as well as proposing new activity. The Scottish Government has committed £60m to the Guarantee.

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In a separate development, more employers across Scotland will be able to apply for funding to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for their existing staff following the decision by the Scottish Government to make the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) available to both Levy payers and SMEs, across the private, public and third sectors for the first time.

The FWDF was introduced four years ago and applied to all of Scotland’s employers who are subject to the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. The fund is now available to both Levy paying companies and SMEs. A £5m fund will be available to support SMEs through a college or Open University. A new option is available for Levy paying businesses who require specialist training to use private training providers. The FWDF was doubled to £20m for 2020/21, with £13m initially made available through the first phase to allow colleges to provide additional support for Levy payers. Another £7m is now open for applications..

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