Young people leaving school in Argyll and Bute are successfully moving on to further education, training or employment.

Of the young people who left school in 2013/2014, 382 (40.3%) went on to higher education – the highest percentage recorded in Argyll and Bute.  A further 172 chose to continue studies at further education colleges, and 255 went into employment.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Aileen Morton, said, “The council and our partners are working hard to provide our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to make important life choices, and I am delighted to see so many of our young people moving on from school to positive destinations.

“It is important to tap into the potential of all our young people, including those who are looked after and accommodated and those who live in the most remote locations, by providing appropriate work placements and training opportunities.

“Enabling young people to realise their own potential is important not just for them but also for the communities which they will help develop and grow in the future.”

In view of the valuable support and opportunities it offers to young people, members of the council's Community Services Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Funding Council supporting Argyll College’s request for an appropriate share of college funding.

The council’s initial annual school leaver destination report, supplied by Skills Development Scotland,  was considered by members of the committee at their meeting on Thursday 12 March.