Criminals’ Cash Creating Job Opportunities

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has launched a unique scheme which uses crooks’ cash to help young people access apprenticeships.

The PowerSkills programme offers opportunities for youths coming through the CashBack programme get off the streets, gain an engineering qualification and the chance to progress towards an apprenticeship with ScottishPower.

It’s the first time the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Programme has worked with business to give young people the opportunity to get into employment.

Twelve teenagers are already enrolled in a six-month training programme at Cardonald College in Glasgow. The resulting qualification offers eligibility to the ScottishPower Foundation Engineering Programme.


CashBack PowerSkills also offers youngsters two day energy sector taster sessions at Scottish Power’s training centre.

Young people from challenging backgrounds are selected for the scheme through CashBack’s Personal Development Partnership, which is run by Venture Trust, The Prince’s Trust Scotland / Fairbridge and Venture Scotland.

Mr MacAskill said: "We want our young people to have as many positive opportunities as possible. Jobs and economic growth are this Government’s top priorities and youth employment is one of the most critical. This link up with ScottishPower is an exciting collaboration between business and CashBack to help young people access free training, develop their skills and get jobs.

"The programme is already working extremely well and the first intake of twelve youngsters are on their way to accessing apprenticeships.

"This is another exciting strand of our CashBack for Communities Programme which uses bad money for good purposes. Cash seized from the proceeds of crime is used to get kids off the streets, away from trouble and into positive activities, giving them the chance to reach their full potential.

"We have invested over £45m to benefit over 600,000 young people since CashBack began offering young people positive opportunities and investing back into communities."

(GK)