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Support for jobs

John Swinney announced yesterday in Parliament on 22nd February up to 5,000 people will be helped into work in Scotland through a new funding package worth £10 million.

The money will be used to encourage small and medium sized companies to take staff on, provide assistance with hiring new employees and encourage Scotland's exporting companies.

The £10 million fund will help provide an incentive for companies to take staff on, it will provide cash to help meet the cost of hiring more employees and it will also be targeted at exporting companies.

Three main elements - £5 million for the Employer Recruitment Incentive run by Skills Development Scotland, providing £1,000 direct to employers who recruit over 18 year olds + , unemployed for 6 months or more into a job.

£2.5 million for Small Business Employment Support – Assisting companies with less than 50 employees increase recruitment by providing an extra £1000 subsidy to small businesses towards their recruitment costs e.g. drafting contracts of employment, payroll systems. Administered by Skills Development Scotland.

£2.5 million for a new Export Support initiative run by Scottish Development International.  Aimed at SME’s new to exporting, providing 12 months support/programme (target 100 ). E.g. 1-2-1 support, training, research.