IN a post Covid Fife, being able to ensure that opportunities for young people are in the pipeline is important, Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing said this week.

Ms Ewing welcomed the opportunity of a telephone catch-up on Monday with Bob Garmory, of the Lochgelly based Purvis Group, and Chair of Fife Developing the Young Workforce.

Ms Ewing was re-assured by what Mr Garmory told her about how the group was making an input into the Job Guarantee scheme for young people.

Speaking this week, Ms Ewing said: “During the last sitting of the Scottish Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fiona Hyslop, informed us the she had asked Sandy Begbie, who has a wealth of experience in supporting youth employment, to offer industry leadership to develop an implementation plan for a 'Job Guarantee'.

“That was one of the key recommendations of the advisory group on economic recovery and one which I very much welcomed.

"As I said in a speech to Parliament, that recommendation has at its heart a recognition that without urgent and comprehensive action a whole generation might be left behind in terms of their job prospects".

The fall-out from the coronavirus crisis is something that Ms Ewing is concerned will affect all age groups and have a major impact on younger people.

She added: “So I was really pleased to discuss this issue with Bob Garmory and to hear about how Fife DYW are already involved in the implementation plans for the Job Guarantee scheme and has been feeding in its ideas.

“It is my view that, if we get this right, the Job Guarantee could be ground-breaking for young people, in the years ahead, as we tackle the immense challenges of our new Covid-19 world.

“One key issue is that we must see sustainable jobs in place, with real opportunity to access training, apprenticeships and possible progression.

“I am looking forward to hearing further information from the Cabinet Secretary, in August, as the plans are developed.”