COLLEGES are set to benefit from a �52 million fund which has been ring fenced to support learners into employment.

The Scottish Government have set the money aside as part of their Employability Fund - with this money specifically aimed at giving the unemployed the best possible chance of finding work.

SNP MSP Adam Ingram backed the move.

He said: "The most recent set of employment figures showed Scotland's positive progress on youth employment - we have higher youth employment, lower youth unemployment and lower economic inactivity among young people than the rest of the UK.

"However, this is not enough. The Employability Fund forms part of the Scottish Government's commitment to supporting people towards and into work. The Fund sits alongside a unique guarantee of a place in education or training for all 16 to 19 year olds, at least 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship places in every year of this Parliament, and the upcoming �15 million Employer Recruitment Incentive.

"Colleges are key providers of employability provision.

"But they are delivering in a period of considerable change and the SNP Government is responding positively to their call for stability with the additional �18 million to colleges for 2013/14, in addition to the �6 million they will get from Skills Development Scotland."