Scotland's Economy

Public reform in action

March 13, 2013 by Derek Mackay MSP No Comments | Category Uncategorized

Yesterday I visited a project that showed me how innovative and creative ideas can provide real opportunities for our young people. I visited the Streetleague project in Glasgow which exemplifies the Scottish Government principles of reform. Simply put, it delivers improved outcomes for local people through partnership working and a focus on prevention.

Streetleague specialise in changing the lives of disadvantaged young people through the power of football. The project engages with the ‘hardest to reach’ young people in a structured football and education ‘Academy’ programme and is aimed at young people who are at risk of disengaging from the labour market. As a result these young people may find themselves with a lifestyle that is difficult and that would make it very hard for them to reconnect and progress without substantial cost to the public purse. This activity is therefore one of both prevention and progression.

For me it is a perfect example of the type of innovation in the design and delivery of public services that the Scottish Government wants to see across Scotland. In the last 12 months through focused intervention, a programme has been developed in conjunction with Glasgow Life to secure a number of jobs for the young people in the City’s sports centres, including the Emirates Arena.

I met two young people who were ex-participants of the Streetleague programme who have gone on to secure employment at the Arena. They live locally and are working in an environment that is developing their skills and experience and earning a wage. We need to prioritise investment in preventative approaches to help all young people engage in employment, education or training and prevent negative outcomes.

There are positive signs of this type of innovation happening all across Scotland which are helping to re-shape public services in line with the Government’s reform approach to improve outcomes and I look forward to seeing more of them in the months to come.

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