Addressing Youth Unemployment in North Ayrshire
Connecting Young People to Employment Through Local Youth Hubs
North Ayrshire has the highest youth unemployment in Scotland. Our Youth Hubs help tackle this by preparing young people for the world of work. Addressing youth unemployment is important for the future economic health and well-being of the younger population. It can affect lifelong earnings, income, and make it more difficult to find employment due to gaps in work history. Youth unemployment not only impacts the economy but also takes a toll on young people’s mental health. It must be addressed to develop the young workforce so they can prosper in their future careers.
To help reduce youth unemployment in North Ayrshire, CEIS Ayrshire, as part of North Ayrshire Council (NAC) Your Next Move, are engaging with local businesses to create employment opportunities for unemployed young people interested in moving into work.
We have now established Youth Hubs across the region, effectively connecting young people with meaningful employment opportunities. These hubs play a critical role in providing personalised support and guidance to young people as they navigate their path toward employment.
The Role of the Youth Hub and Its Impact
The Youth Hub was initially created and piloted in April 2024 with young people who were already engaging with us. The Hub was officially launched in June 2024 in Stevenston Library during North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Week.
The Hubs provide valuable support for young unemployed people aged 16-24 and our dedicated Youth Key Workers and Business Services Officers provide the support they need to guide them on the path to meaningful employment. We support CV building, interview preparation, online training, and direct access to employers.
Shortly after the first Youth Hub in Stevenston was launched we expanded further to increase the reach of our services. We now have Youth Hubs in Beith and Irvine allowing us to maximise the support on offer to young people within the communities across North Ayrshire.
Our support is delivered through a standardised, structured timetable throughout all our youth hubs, ensuring that our clients, partners, and external providers are aware of what support is on offer – with allocated timeslots for a range of specific employability support, such as CV’s, applications and interview support sessions throughout the day.
However, ensuring young people are prepared for employment is only part of the equation. To create sustainable job opportunities, the Personal Recruitment Incentive (PRI) Grant provides vital support for employers willing to invest in young talent.
How the Personal Recruitment Incentive (PRI) Grant Supports Employers and Job Seekers
We knew that to effectively tackle youth unemployment we would need to take a two-pronged approach: creating the aforementioned youth hubs and supporting businesses to employ young people through the PRI Grant. The PRI Grant offers employers up to £5,500 in funding to create a job of up to 35 hours per week, exclusively for young people that are engaging in one of the three Youth Hubs. Employers can use it to either pay part of the employees’ wages or use it to get them the equipment or training required to start work.
This incentive encourages and supports employers to create the jobs specifically for young people, with employers encouraged to pay the real living wage, ensuring young people get a job that pays them fairly and providing clear benefits for both employers and young people.
Benefits for young people include:
- Access to local job opportunities exclusively through our Youth hubs. These positions that are created specifically with their growth in mind.
- On going support from dedicated Key Workers, who help improve employability through CV writing, interview prep and tailored advice & guidance.
- Help in addressing and overcoming barriers to employment such as low confidence, childcare needs, transport issues, or lack of experience.
- Jobs that pay a fair wage and the opportunity to develop, train and progress.
- Possible full-time job offers once the funding finishes.
- Real hands-on experience within a working environment, improving their employability and experience needed for future job opportunities.
Benefits for employers include:
- The PRI grant helps cover costs of wages, onboarding, and reduces financial risk.
- The Youth Hub works to improve young people’s employability skills making sure they are job ready both in attitude and ability.
- Streamlined recruitment helps employers save time and resources when sourcing new candidates. By taking part in this initiative, companies can demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, support local communities, enhance their reputation, and contribute to reducing unemployment
- Giving businesses an opportunity to build a skilled workforce, by shaping young talent, creating a pipeline of skilled workers for future growth.
Partnering for Success
In our view, partnership working is key to developing the young workforce because it makes for a smooth experience for young people and brings together the experience and expertise of different organisations. The PRI funding provided by North Ayrshire Council is a key part in allowing us to deliver and facilitate the youth hubs and upskill potential candidates for employment.
Employers are another key component, supporting them to create opportunities for young people through the Personal Recruitment Incentive. This two-pronged approach combines local authority support with employer engagement, opening pathways to employment for young people.
Through these collaborations, local authorities, key stakeholders, providers, and employers can help address youth unemployment. Sharing resources and knowledge helps develop tailored support systems that meet the needs of the community. This approach has already led to positive outcomes for many young people. One success story is that of Tom Hendry. The tailored support he received from his Key Worker showcases the impact of the Youth Hub.
Tom Hendry’s Success Story
CEIS Ayrshire’s collaboration with North Ayrshire Council has been yielding good results in connecting young people with employment opportunities. Recently we worked with Tom Hendry. He needed help with CV writing, cover letter, and job searching.
At the Youth Hub, Tom was support by his Key Worker, Joanne, who helped him explore available PRI job opportunities. He was encouraged to apply for a role with Arnott & Bryce Fencing. Following the submission of his application, Tom was offered a part time position. His employer expressed satisfaction with Tom’s dedication and work ethic, indicating he plans to offer him a full-time position.
Within just two weeks of visiting the Youth Hub, Tom secured employment through one of the PRI roles available exclusively via the hub. His story is just one of many — we’ve helped numerous young job seekers find meaningful employment through the Youth Hub and PRI programmes.
Some clients will need more time before they are ready to apply for a role that is right for them. We help them along by providing them with comprehensive employability support in our Youth Hub and matching them with job opportunities, giving them the best possible chance to succeed.
Building Stronger Communities Through Youth Employment
The Youth Hub connects young people to jobs and helps to build their confidence, resilience, and self-sufficiency. In doing so and working with North Ayrshire Council, stakeholders, and local businesses, we have begun to see an increase in youth employment rates, but it also strengthens communities by promoting economic growth, reduces social issues, and fosters a stronger sense of community.
Empowering Young People Through Youth Hub Participation
Beyond employment, our Youth Hubs offer a space where young people can explore their potential, build capabilities, and gain real-world experience in supportive environments. Many participants develop vital skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while also gaining industry-specific training and qualifications. Most importantly, they gain a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in their ability to succeed. This boost in self-belief often becomes the foundation for continued personal and professional development, helping young people become more active, engaged, and capable members of their communities.
The success of the Youth Hub and PRI grant shows the importance of investing in the local community and collaborating with partners to provide opportunities for young people. To further help meet the ever-changing needs of the workforce we need to expand these efforts through new partnerships, funding sources and tailored training programmes. Employers that take part in this initiative can take advantage of the benefits they provide and ensure that young people have access to meaningful employment opportunities.
Addressing youth unemployment requires a collective effort from local authorities, employers, community organisations, and the wider public. By working together, North Ayrshire is creating a brighter future where young people in the community are equipped with the skills, opportunities, and confidence they need to thrive.
Take Part in Building a Stronger Community
Together, we need to invest in young people and the future of North Ayrshire by providing opportunities. The community plays an important role in tackling youth unemployment.
If you are an employer, get involved by offering opportunities through our Youth Hub and take advantage of the Personal Recruitment Incentive. You can support the local community while building a strong and skilled workforce. Get involved, strengthen your community, and help shape a brighter future for your business and for North Ayrshire.
If you are a young person aged 16-24 and unsure on how to make your next move, register with CEIS Ayrshire and get support at one of our Youth Hubs in Stevenston, Beith, or Irvine. Our Youth team is here to help you build confidence, skills and connect with employers.
