Building Prosperous Futures? The UK-Scotland Skills Policy Frameworks and the Labour Market Prospects of Young People

As governments seek solutions to the youth unemployment crisis across Europe, the effectiveness of policies in addressing both supply-side and demand-side issues requires much closer scrutiny given the pernicious consequences of failure. This paper shall contribute to this endeavour by offering an analysis – at the UK and Scottish level - of those policies designed and delivered with the intention of improving the quantity and quality of labour market opportunities available to young people through the provision of skills which are relevant to labour market demand. Furthermore, the paper shall examine those measures taken by policymakers to improve the 'employability' of young people, measures which often involve support beyond vocational skills training. The paper shall conclude with recommendations for the future direction of policy in the field of youth unemployment.