Scotland’s education secretary Michael Russell has announced a new £7.7m fund for the voluntary sector to support around 5,000 unemployed people into work over the next two years.

The money will be distributed across 14 charity partners, including the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Action for Children and the Prince’s Trust, who will work across Scotland.

Donna Mackinnon, director of employment services at SCVO said:

“The recession has slashed employment opportunities for young people and those furthest from the labour market. This lifeline will help us to help them.

“Thousands of Scots are unemployed and the voluntary sector has a proven track record for helping some of society’s most vulnerable people into jobs. It makes absolute sense that we should be using our knowledge and experience in this way to continue that great work."

The new fund is part of the £168m national skills development programme to strengthen Scotland’s workforce.