Great Start for Hand Picked 100

More than 25 companies have signed up to Hand Picked 100 and will provide a young person with a 90-day paid job, support and mentoring to help them kick start their working lives.

The campaign, launched last month to find 100 local employers prepared to boost the chances of 16-24 year olds to get jobs, is already well on the way to meet its target, with companies from Fife, Perth and Tayside stepping up to become part of the Hand Picked 100 network.

The local employers joining the initiative include D&G Autocare, The Scott Group, St Andrews Links Trust and Stagecoach, with new recruits already in roles at Thomson Cooper, FiFab, The Cress Company and Marine Harvest.

Established by CR Smith, Hand Picked is Scotland’s only employability programme of its kind run by private business. Boss of the Dunfermline–based home improvement company, Gerard Eadie CBE, is leading the call for businesses of all shapes and sizes to join the Hand Picked network.

In Fife, more than 1,500 young people are unemployed, in Dundee that figure is more than 900, with a further 300 out of work in Perthshire and the Hand Picked programme has received the endorsement of former Prime Minister and Fife MP, Gordon Brown. Hand Picked also has the backing of local schools, the third sector and employment agencies.

Mr Eadie said:

“I am delighted with the response to the campaign with more than 25 businesses coming forward so far across Fife and Tayside to take part. It is really pleasing to see our local business leaders showing their support for young people and the workforce of the future.

“Hand Picked 100 is calling on employers in businesses of all sizes to join our campaign and become a life-changer for a young person aged 16-24 years who is struggling to find a job.

“I am asking 100 employers to give one young person a 90 day paid job so that they learn the expectations of the workplace and take that experience onto their next job interview.

“This is how businesses can invest in everyone’s future and I encourage more employers to join us.”

Hand Picked identifies and places young people into paid jobs and the employers that take them on become part of a highly visible business network with a mission. There are Hand Picked events, PR support is provided and each business will receive recognition and acknowledgement online, in local media, in government reports and through the use of the Hand Picked 100 campaign logo.

Businesses can also become part of the 2018 Hand Picked campaign by running an Academy for young people in their local community. Delivered from the employer’s perspective and from an employer’s premise, the Academies offer a real picture of working life and provide candidates with the confidence and skills to set them up to compete for jobs successfully. Full support for the Academies is given by CR Smith.

Businesses and young people interested in Hand Picked and the Hand Picked Academy should contact Pauline McGeevor at [email protected] or call 01383 747641.