Listen and Learn Youth Summit

The topic young people chose to explore was employment, which has been a key issue for young people at Listen and Learn sessions, East Lothian Youth Council and for the Scottish Youth Parliament. It has also been identified as a key issue for our Corporate Parenting agenda.

1.Young people should be more engaged with the Council’s Economic Development Strategy and EL Works initiative 2.Greater links should be made between young people and VDEL 3.A dedicated job opportunity/work experience/volunteering opportunity web site should be investigated/developed 4.An open wifi access policy for schools should be investigated 5.A communication strategy devoted to communicating with young people, including effective use of texting and social media should be investigated at a council level, to be implemented in the council and in schools. This should be developed in conjunction with young people. This work would be timely, given the impending enactment of the Children and Young People Bill in 2014 6.The impact of transport costs/availability for young people wishing to access employment, further and higher education and training should be addressed 7.Councillors should have a greater presence in school, for example, holding surgeries, attending assemblies and making themselves available/contactable 8.We make greater use of East Coast FM in future events You can find out more about young people’s views by following this link to the Listen and Learn Youth Summit video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIBIGPFg0RI

These matters are now being taken forward with various council departments and with partner organisations. Progress will be reported in the Listen more, assume less magazine