THE leader of Inverclyde Council's SNP group says she wants to see a 'sustained focus' on making sure young people go on to 'positive destinations' after they leave school. 

SNP councillor Elizabeth Robertson spoke out following a recent meeting of Inverclyde Council's education and communities committee. 

A report presented to the committee revealed that in 2022/23, 94 per cent of 16 to 19-year-olds had gone into education, training or employment after leaving school. 

However, that figure puts Inverclyde in 22nd place across all of Scotland's 32 local authorities. 

Council officials expect the 94 per cent to be maintained for 2023/24. 

Councillor Robertson said it's important that young people go on to do something positive after they leave school, and that they get the chance to let people know what they're doing. 

She added: "It's absurd that young people in school for 13 years and then leave school and we don't know where they go. 

"There shouldn't be any 'unknown' young people. 

"If we think a young person may not be going on to a positive destination, we need to be dealing with them now. 

"It's important that young people know that we care about what they're going to do after school."

Councillor Robertson says partnership working is vital in ensuring young people leave school with a plan. 

She added: "Lots of people have a part to play, it's not solely the preserve of the school. 

"Are we focusing enough on what college provision is in terms of supply and demand? 

"What are we doing in terms of the wider context?

"It's a very complex thing that we need to get right."

At the education committee meeting, Ruth Binks, corporate director for education, communities and organisational development, said: "We are doing what we can to improve, and working with colleges and employability services. 

"We're also ensuring that the curriculum has the world of work involved in it, and it's not solely academic."

Inverclyde Council's head of education Michael Roach added: "Initial leavers destination figures are much improved and we're seeing sustained percentages. 

"Many young people are going on to positive destinations, and there are much more bespoke packages available to them for when they leave school."