School leavers are to be given extra help in training for jobs as a result of additional funding from the Scottish Government.

2 million is being made available to fund 420 new places for young school leavers to learn skills in engineering, motor vehicle, warehousing/retail, IT and administration, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced today.

The school leavers will be offered training places to help them either move directly on to the Modern Apprenticeship programme or straight into further training or employment. The scheme will be managed by Skills Development Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

In addition to having the costs of the training paid, all the young people will receive a 55 per week training allowance. Courses lasting up to 6 months will start 30 November 2009.

Announcing the funding Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said: "This Government is committed to doing everything that we can to help people in this current economic climate. ScotAction is the Scottish Government's skills support package for providing real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

"We already provide support to young people through our 16+ Learning Choices model but what I am announcing is a specific programme of training school leavers, with provision available for winter leavers, to train in areas where we know there will be future jobs. It is important that we provide as many options as possible for young people who in the current economic climate may find it more difficult to naturally progress to formal education or training.

"Our whole economy has faced massive challenges, but the future success of the engineering, motor vehicle, warehousing/retail, IT and administration industries will be absolutely vital to our economic recovery. That is why we want to ensure that those entering the sector develop the necessary skills to succeed."

Councillor Ian Linton, East Ayrshire Council Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "I welcome this programme to help our school leavers. Young people are amongst the hardest hit by the current economic climate. It is vital that they get extra help in training for jobs right now".

For more info, visit www.scotland.gov.uk/scotaction.