The world can be a sad place at times – a fact which is confirmed any time you open a newspaper or see a news bulletin.
Terrorism, disease and poverty are rife, and are not just a threat to the rest of the world, but one that is imminent in the UK too.
So it was refreshing this week to read the business pages and see a positive story for Scotland.
Unemployment has fallen by 40,000 between June and August to stand at 151,000.
Reported by The Office for National Statistics (ONS), this figure is the biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began.
The jobless rate is now reported at 5.5 per cent, below the rate of six per cent for the whole of UK.
And the statistic has been long awaited by people all over the country.
The report showed that employment increased by 35,000 to stand at 2,611,000 – a hopeful figure for Scotland, confirming that our economy is continuing to grow.
The services sector, which accounts for almost three quarters of the Scottish economy, grew by 0.9 per cent, the production sector by 0.3 per cent and, most encouragingly, the construction sector by 3.6 per cent – homage perhaps to Scotland’s great apprenticeship schemes on offer through businesses and colleges.
Although these figures mean that we are seeing the highest job figures in history, there are still issues that remain unsolved.
The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has rose despite these positive reports, but the figure is small and still down by 30,500 on a year ago.
It’s encouraging that we are still improving on this figure year on year, but it is an issue that continues to need addressing by all in Scotland, including continued support from businesses, colleges and community projects, which have been imperative throughout the years in contributing to the overall increase in employment.
Just last week I read about New College Lanarkshire celebrating the success of one of its former students, Andrew Beel, as he won a gold medal at EuroSkills – the largest skills competition in Europe.
The 20-year-old was introduced to the competition while he was studying at the college and now hopes to travel to Brazil next summer for the world finals.
This is an example of a great initiative that young people in Scotland can get involved in, providing they put in the hard work and dedication, and receive the right encouragement from peers, tutors and educators.
These events stimulate young people who have worked hard to develop a skill, and connect these skills with jobs to help them progress their careers and motivate them to find out more about the world of work.
What a great feat for our young people, to not only have the opportunity to learn important skills that can be transcribed to their career, but also have the opportunity to celebrate their success in an international competition.
These are the sort of initiatives that must continue in our country – ensuring our young people are not only skilled and educated, but are supported throughout this and given the confidence to use these skills in a place of work.
Brown Would Be Boost for Scotland
It was interesting to read last week that Gordon Brown is being urged to return to frontline politics to take on Scotland’s next First Minister.
Many Labour insiders believe that Mr Brown could write a new ending for his political career in Holyrood.
The former PM will always be tarnished by leading the government during the economic Armageddon at the end of the last decade.
However you could hardly blame one man for the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression.
It was a global meltdown and he was just unlucky to be at the helm of the ship when the financial markets imploded.
Despite the loss of the General Election in May 2010, most people would agree that he is a political heavyweight and a man who has social justice at his core.
He is credited with revitalising the No campaign during the referendum, with his speech on the eve of the poll being described as his finest hour.
Others argue though that he walked into a trap with the Tories on the English votes for English laws, which would give extra powers to English MPs as part of the Devo Max agenda.
Whatever you think of him, it would be a positive step to have a man of Gordon Brown’s caliber in the Scottish Parliament.
As the Devo Max progresses, we will have greater powers for Scotland and it’s important we have strong political parties and politicians who will act in the best interests of the people of Scotland.
Gordon Brown’s return would be good for Scotland, and he will prove a more than formidable opponent for First Minister in waiting Nicola Sturgeon.
It Made Me Laugh: Time for Show to Be Fired
I eventually caught-up with the latest series of The Apprentice last week – and I’m afraid to say it’s time it was fired from our screens.
In a bid to add more drama, the latest installment has more contestants and there are now double eliminations in the boardroom.
However I’m afraid the show has hit an all-time low and has become a parody of itself.
In a wearable technology task, the boy’s video camera jumper was absolutely ridiculous. In fairness the girl’s jacket with shoulder pad solar panels to provide a charge for your mobile phone was just as bad.
I fear for those on the show, in a bid to get their five seconds of fame, they are committing the ultimate career suicide and may struggle to be taken seriously in their future pursuits.
It Made Me Weep: Industry Loss is a Tragedy
It was alarming to hear last week the future of Scotland’s remaining steel industry is under threat, after the last two plants were put up for sale.
Tata Steel announced it is planning to sell its Long Products division, which employs hundreds of workers at plants in Lanarkshire.
The news comes as another blow to Scottish industry.
During the referendum debate I watched a programme about the industrial revolution which documented the period of economic prosperity across Scotland the UK.
Sadly most of our industry has been wiped out with the impact of globalisation and policy of successive governments.
Our communities continue to feel the pain of this.
