RECORD PROPORTION OF YOUNG SCOTS IN STUDY, WORK OR TRAINING AFTER SCHOOL

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed new figures showing more school leavers from the Western Isles are in study, work or training than a decade ago.

Across Scotland, a record proportion of young people were in a positive destination three months after leaving school last year. The gap between those from the most and least deprived communities achieving a positive destination is the lowest since 2009-10.

In the Western Isles, the number of unemployed school leavers seeking work fell from 5.1% in 2009/10 to 2.6% in 2018/19.

Over the same time period the number of school leavers going on to positive destinations rose from 89.6% to a record high of 98.4%.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“It is very welcome that significant progress has been made and more young people in the Western Isles are going on to positive destinations such as work and study straight from school.

“Over the past nine years, more young people in the Western Isles have been in study, training or work three months after leaving school than ever before.

“It’s particularly welcome that the gap between the richest and poorest for those moving into a positive destination continues to narrow.

“This demonstrates that Curriculum for Excellence is delivering one of the ultimate aims of school education - to secure a positive next step in learning, life and work for our young people.”