Glasgow Airport, in Scotland, is offering a volunteering initiative to young unemployed adults.
The airport has awarded an amount of £4,900 to ProjectScotland through its FlightPath Fund, allowing the project to offer seven adults the opportunity of taking up full-time volunteering roles with a charity or social enterprise.
The volunteer opportunities are expected to last for several months and are intended to provide a springboard for those selected to help them find future employment, as well as offering charitable organisations the additional resources, and benefits to the communities in which the volunteers work.
Maureen Jamieson, Glasgow Airport’s head of procurement, said, ‘One of the reasons for establishing the FlightPath Fund was to tackle social issues such youth employment, so we are very excited about being able to help ProjectScotland break down barriers for these young people.
These volunteering projects are beneficial on several levels – they help the individual and the organisation they are placed with, as well as the community in which that organisation operates.
That represents tremendous value and ProjectScotland has an excellent track record of success in turning placements into full-time employment so we look forward to seeing the results.’
Rucelle Soutar, the finance director for ProjectScotland, said, ‘Youth unemployment in Scotland has been rising steadily in recent years and some of the worst affected areas lie under the Glasgow Airport flightpath. Young people are looking for opportunities to develop their skills and gain the practical workplace experience sought by many employers.
Volunteering makes young people more optimistic and prepared for the journey ahead. Our opportunities with charities and social enterprises give them the space and time to recognise how capable they are.
Glasgow Airport’s support will open doors for seven young people and ultimately allow them to take control of their own lives and improve their future prospects.’
The Glasgow Airport Flightpath Fund has awarded around £400,000 to 150 community groups and charities since 2010. The Communities Trust and charity collection boxes in the airport terminal finance the fund.
