More than 8,000 young people are now in jobs thanks to a successfully completed employment programme run through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Youth Gateway has exceeded all its targets during the three year programme, which was delivered across local authorities in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

The programme – led by Renfrewshire Council and delivered locally by each council’s employability team – helped 8,085 people aged 16-29 into sustained employment, 61 per cent above target.

A further 18,644 people benefited from its tailored support, 25 per cent higher than anticipated.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “I am delighted that through this Renfrewshire-led initiative on behalf of the Glasgow City Region, thousands of young people have been supported into jobs and thousands more are better placed to make that step onto the job ladder.”

The £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, Scottish Government and eight neighbouring local authorities across the Glasgow City Region.

Over its lifetime the City Deal is expected to create 29,000 new jobs, as well as 15,000 temporary jobs during the construction period.

Now plans are being developed for a Youth Guarantee to be rolled out across the region.