Youth convener steps down early

A ROSS-SHIRE man is to leave his post as Highland Youth Convener after just a month.

John Erskine (21) from Conon Bridge is to step down early from his role to take up a position with the Scottish Parliament, working from Inverness.

The 6th Highland Youth Convener only took up his one-year appointment at the beginning of September.

High Life Highland, which hosts the post on behalf of Highland Council, said the search for a new Youth Convener will begin after the Highland Youth Voice Conference in November.

The Youth Convener post is unique in Scotland and is part of the area’s commitment to better understanding and engaging with issues important to Highland’s young people

Despite having occupied the role for a brief period, High Life Highland say Mr Erskine has achieved a great deal. He has held meetings with senior UK government officials to discuss youth unemployment, argued for 16-year-olds to have the vote and during his first week in post joined calls for Highland Council to pay the living wage, a policy which was adopted by the council last week.

Mr Erskine was the first graduate to take on the unique role of Youth Convener.

In leaving for his new post, Mr Erskine said: "I have really enjoyed my time as Youth Convener and will be sad to leave. I felt welcomed into both High Life Highland and Highland Council by all staff and elected members and I would like to thank everyone for their support during my time in post.

"I feel the role of Youth Convener is a very valuable one for Highland and hope to see the post continue on and be successful in the coming years. It is a unique post and it is with regret I will be leaving, however I feel that I will be able to use the skills I learned in the post to continue to work to make the Highland’s a better place for young people in my new job."