A YOUTH hub will be established in Clackmannanshire as part of efforts to support young people find employment and other opportunities.

Based at the Forth Valley College campus in Alloa, the initiative will support young people aged between 18-24.

Work coaches, employed by the Department of Work and Pensions, will be based full-time in the campuses in Alloa and Falkirk and is currently up and running delivering an online service.

It is hoped that they will deliver their advise to young people who will be invited for meetings when pandemic restrictions allow.

Mims Davies MP, minister for employment, said: "By rolling out youth hubs across local communities like these at the campuses in Alloa and Falkirk, young people will be able to access vital, suitable support from our work coaches.

"This is a challenging time and we are serious about investing in young people as we get Britain back working again and moving further into recovery."

Anna Vogt, head of equalities, inclusion and learning services, added: "We are delighted to be working closely with our partners in the DWP, and feel this new initiative will prove to be an excellent way to engage and energise young people looking to find new work, training and educational opportunities in the Forth Valley area.

"We know that young people have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the youth hub will hopefully be able to mitigate some of that impact on young people in the Forth Valley area.

"As well as the brilliant advice on offer from the work coaches, sitting right next to them will be our learning advisers, and colleagues from Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce, who can offer the best advice Job Centre customers would need to think about applying for a course at the college and another positive destination option."

Young people who use the service will also be able to take advantage of the range of advice and guidance available from Forth Valley College's learner advisors, Developing the Young Workforce Forth Valley and Skills Development Scotland.

A collaborative approach is expected to have benefits for all stakeholders, who will gain knowledge of support, guidance and services available and build meaningful professional relationships with colleagues in other partner organisations.