Third sector proves can get young people into work - 1,420 jobs created

An independent report released today shows that the second phase of Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) programme has created jobs for 1,420 young unemployed people in charities and third sector organisations in all parts of Scotland. John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “This report shows that Community Jobs Scotland is strongly outperforming other employment initiatives on all counts with more than half of the young people getting permanent jobs, doing more training or volunteering. “It’s time to focus spending on what we know works and actually helps people to secure jobs. The Scottish Government needs to think strategically and take a long-term view of how it can change the lives of many more young people. If the Scottish Government invests an additional £25m in CJS, we’re confident that the third sector can create 10,000 more jobs for young unemployed people over the next three years.” Top-line results:

• 1,420 jobs for young unemployed people aged 16-24 have been created in 383 third sector organisations
• 66% of these jobs were  taken up by people aged 18-19 years old, 21% by 16-17 year olds
• 39% of young people went into long-term employment after their Community Jobs Scotland contract, 9% started a further or higher education course and 6% took up voluntary work
• Of the 499 young people who entered employment, 51% got a permanent job with their CJS employer and 49% got a job with another employer in the private, public or third sector

More than 3,985 jobs have been created by CJS since it was launched by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) in 2011 with Scottish Government funding but there’s potential to create thousands more jobs. David Sands, is working as an administrator at Glasgow Wood Recycling through CJS. He said: “Before starting my job I was unemployed and had never had a job, but since working here I have gained a boost in confidence and learned various new skills as I get to dabble in different aspects of the business such as general admin duties, dealing with customers via phone and face-to-face, some sales, social media and working with volunteers. I feel this has benefited me hugely and has increased my employability.” Peter Lavelle, Manager, Glasgow Wood Recycling, said: "Being involved with Community Jobs Scotland has been such a great reminder of the hard work that so many young people put into finding work. One young man we employ had previously been knocking on local firms' doors asking about work. Another, although unsuccessful with GWR, came back to volunteer with us and soon after found work elsewhere. For a small enterprise like GWR there is always lots of work to be done but we aren't always able to turn that into paid employment. CJS has however made it that bit easier to support a paid position and on more than one occasion we have then offered young people full-time employment beyond the programme." ENDS

1. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the national body representing the interests of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.  The Scottish third sector turns over £4.5 billion a year and employs 138,000 people in over 45,000 organisations.
2. Community Jobs Scotland (CJS), created by SCVO with Scottish Government funding and delivered in partnership with Social Enterprise Scotland, has created 3, 985 paid jobs for young unemployed people through a network of nearly 500 third sector organisations in each of the 32 local authority areas. Long-term unemployed young people are offered a job for six months with a voluntary organisation for at least 25 hours a week.
3. Phase 2 of CJS ran from August 2012 to 2013. Jobs started between August 2012 and March 2013.
4. The independent evaluation of Community Jobs Scotland was completed by the University of Glasgow’s Training & Employment Research Unit. See full report
5. For more information or to request an interview, call Charlotte McNeill at SCVO on 07790 601 995