Government must help school leavers without chances

3.25.56pm GMT Tue 24th Nov 2009

Commenting on school leaver data published today by the Scottish Government, Liberal Democrat Education spokesman Margaret Smith MSP said:

“Worrying numbers of young people are leaving school and going straight on the dole.  The fact that a record low proportion of school leavers are going into formal employment is extremely worrying.  If we are to avoid a lost generation of young people being let down by both the UK and Scottish Governments we should be investing in internships, apprenticeships and opportunities for school leavers to go straight into a job.

“Because of Labour’s recession, thousands more young people are turning to further or higher education.  It’s important that Universities and colleges have the capacity and resources to handle significant rises in student numbers.”