Crime cash to go to youth training
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill (left) has launched a programme that uses cash seized from the proceeds of crime to turn around teenagers’ lives. The Personal Development Partnership, funded by the Scottish government’s CashBack for Communities programme, helps 14- to 19-year-olds on the cusp of offending or involved in anti-social behaviour to build skills that open up employment, further education or training.
Glasgow leader’s election vows
A “Glasgow Guarantee” of a job, training or an apprenticeship for every 16- to 24-year-old has been promised by the leader of Glasgow City Council in his manifesto for the local government elections on 3 May. Labour’s Gordon Matheson has unveiled 100 policies he believes will transform Glasgow. He made a vow to “renew or refresh” every primary in the city and extend free childcare for three-year-olds by up to five months.
Scottish pupils pedal to victory
Schoolchildren from Leswalt Primary in Stranraer and Aboyne Academy in Aberdeenshire have won in the UK’s biggest school cycling competition. The Sustrans Big Pedal competition challenged children to make as many journeys to school by bicycle as possible over three weeks. Leswalt Primary won the small primary category, with 95 per cent of pupils cycling to school every day. Aboyne Academy won the secondary school category, with over 150 pupils cycling to school every day.
Survey addresses graduate work
The launch of a national survey of recent graduates struggling to find work has been welcomed by the National Union of Students Scotland, which says there are “huge difficulties” finding work in degree areas. The Citizens Advice Scotland online survey is open until 7 May and is aimed at anyone in Scotland who has graduated in the past six years. It will seek their views on their current situation and hopes for the future.
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Sailing charity receives pound;5,000
National sailing and youth work charity Ocean Youth Trust Scotland (OYTS) has received a grant of pound;5,000 from the Bank of Scotland Foundation, for training its volunteers. Residential voyages aboard OYTS’s fleet of sail- training vessels aim to provide a powerful environment for young people from all backgrounds and abilities. In 2011, more than 800 young people benefited from the “life-changing” experience on voyages led by full-time staff and volunteers.
