Annabelle Ewing’s Vision For More Youth Employment
Young people entering the workforce deserve more than short-term contracts, unpaid experience and a cycle of applications that lead nowhere. Annabelle Ewing’s economic agenda places employment, skills and regional opportunity at the centre of recovery, with a focus on giving young Scots a stronger start.
For Ochil and South Perthshire, that means connecting education with genuine vacancies in Perthshire, Stirling, Clackmannanshire and surrounding communities. It also means recognising that opportunity is shaped by transport, housing costs, digital access and the availability of secure work close to home.
This approach has relevance for an Australian audience. A school leaver in Melbourne, a TAFE graduate in Newcastle or a young worker in regional Queensland may face similar pressures: rising rents, expensive travel, casual hours and employers seeking experience that entry-level workers have not yet had the chance to gain.
Ewing’s plan links youth employment to wider economic recovery. By supporting apprenticeships, strengthening local businesses and representing Scotland’s interests at Westminster, she presents a practical route towards better-paid, more stable work for the next generation.
| Priority | Practical direction | Benefit for young people |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Expand apprenticeships, vocational training and employer partnerships | A clearer path from learning to work |
| Local enterprise | Support small businesses and growing sectors | More opportunities outside major cities |
| Fair employment | Encourage secure contracts, training and progression | Greater income stability |
| Representation | Press Westminster for investment and regional support | Stronger local economies and services |
Skills That Lead To Real Jobs
A successful youth employment programme must respond to the skills employers actually need. Ewing’s focus on economic recovery can support closer links between schools, colleges, universities, businesses and public services, ensuring training is connected to vacancies rather than delivered in isolation.
Apprenticeships should be available across modern industries, including renewable energy, engineering, digital services, healthcare, construction and low-carbon transport. This would give young people alternatives to a traditional university route while helping employers build a skilled workforce locally.
For Australian readers, the comparison with TAFE is familiar. Vocational education works best when courses include practical experience, recognised qualifications and a clear relationship with employers. A similar emphasis can help young Scots move from classroom learning into sustainable employment.
A Stronger Start For Local Businesses
Small and medium-sized businesses are often the first employers for young people. Independent retailers, hospitality venues, farms, trades, technology firms and community organisations can provide valuable first roles, but many need support to offer structured training and longer-term progression.
Ewing’s economic platform can place local enterprise at the heart of employment policy. Public investment, advice for start-ups and accessible funding can help businesses take on apprentices, provide mentoring and create roles that are less dependent on seasonal demand.
The local market matters in Australia too. Young workers in Sydney and Melbourne may have more vacancies but face intense competition and high living costs, while those in Hobart, Geelong or regional New South Wales may find fewer openings and longer journeys to work. Effective policy must account for both conditions.
Fair Work And Secure Progression
Getting a first job is only part of the challenge. Young people also need fair pay, predictable hours, safe workplaces and opportunities to advance. A labour market built around unstable casual work can make it difficult to plan rent, transport, study or family commitments.
The principles behind Australia’s Fair Work Act provide a useful point of reference: minimum standards, workplace rights and protections against exploitation should be visible to every new worker. In Scotland, Ewing can advocate for employment practices that reward training, recognise responsibility and reduce the misuse of insecure contracts.
A stronger first step could include paid placements, transparent recruitment and mentoring during the first year of employment. These measures would help prevent the common expectation that young people should work for free simply to prove themselves.
Removing Barriers Beyond The Workplace
Employment policy cannot ignore the practical obstacles that prevent people from accepting work. In rural and semi-rural areas, limited bus services, high fuel costs and long commutes can turn a nearby vacancy into an unrealistic option. Affordable housing and reliable broadband are equally important.
The daily experience of Australian workers shows why this matters. A young person commuting across Brisbane, relying on trains in Perth or travelling from a regional town to a larger employment centre can spend a substantial share of their income before the working day begins. Scotland’s rural communities face their own versions of these pressures.
A coordinated plan should therefore connect job creation with transport investment, digital inclusion and support for independent living. Employment opportunities are more meaningful when people can reach them and afford to remain in work.
A Voice For Scotland’s Next Generation
Representing Scotland at Westminster gives Ewing a platform to argue for investment that reaches communities beyond the largest urban centres. Youth employment should be part of wider decisions about industrial strategy, public procurement, energy, infrastructure and regional development.
A strong local strategy could prioritise:
- Paid apprenticeships linked to growing industries
- Career guidance that begins before young people leave school
- Support for small firms hiring and training new workers
- Better transport and broadband for regional jobseekers
Young people also need a say in shaping the services designed for them. Local campaigns, youth forums and partnerships with colleges can identify gaps in training, mental health support and workplace access before they become long-term disadvantages.
Practical measures that can make a difference include:
- Clear pathways from education into employment
- Work experience with proper supervision and payment
- Help with travel, equipment and digital access
- Training that supports progression, not just job entry
Annabelle Ewing’s message is that youth employment should be treated as an investment in Scotland’s future rather than a temporary response to economic pressure. A fairer labour market, stronger local businesses and better-connected communities can give young people the confidence to build their lives in the places they call home.
Follow the campaign, read the latest policy updates and share your views on the employment opportunities young people need across Ochil and South Perthshire. Support for this agenda can help keep youth opportunity at the centre of Scotland’s economic recovery.