Sturgeon Aims To Help Young In Work

Nicola Sturgeon has said she will focus on improving the lives of young people as she approaches 100 days as First Minister. Ms Sturgeon will use a series of engagements this week to highlight her Government's plans for increasing opportunities for the young ahead of the milestone on Friday. These will include a visit to London to see the city's Challenge programme aimed at tackling the attainment gap between pupils from poor and wealthy backgrounds. The scheme inspired the £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund recently announced by the Scottish Government. The First Minister will announce further support to help young people into employment ahead of a speech at Edinburgh's David Hume Institute on Wednesday. Her 100th day will be marked by a visit to pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in Irvine where she will announce a new initiative to encourage more young women to take up modern apprenticeships. Ms Sturgeon said: As I said on the day that I was sworn in as First Minister - the biggest investment we can make in Scotland's future is in our people."That is why it is hugely important to make sure that all of our young people - no matter what their background or where they come from - have the very best chance to get on in life. That is how we not only improve lives but also grow our economy." So as we approach my 100th day in office, I am focused on delivering for the young people of Scotland by improving attainment in Scotland's schools, opening up job opportunities and encouraging more young women to improve their skills and get on in life by taking up a modern apprenticeship.''