Hand Picked is a jobs programme that provides paid work placements, employability courses and one-to-one mentoring for young people who want to work.

“Our approach is simple: we bring young people together with employers to build their understanding of the workplace and job expectations. We give young people the knowledge and confidence they need to kick start their working lives.”
Gerard Eadie CBE, Chairman of CR Smith who set up Hand Picked to tackle youth unemployment

For a business of any size and from any sector, sponsoring a 16-24-year-old in a paid job is an opportunity to make a real difference to the young people who will make up Scotland’s workforce for years to come.

By becoming a partner of Hand Picked, you will help prepare Scotland’s young people for the workplace, securing a better future for your business and for your local community.

We bring together like-minded businesses to deliver employability workshops to school pupils in a classroom environment. Pupils have the chance to learn about companies and jobs in their area, in addition to gaining inside knowledge about what employers really look for when they recruit new staff.

If you are aged between 16-24, not currently working and actively seeking a job, Hand Picked can offer you practical advice and mentoring that will help you to find paid employment, whether that's in a Hand Picked placement or directly with an employer.

If you would like to find out more about joining Hand Picked either as a candidate or a business, please use the contact details below or complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we will be in touch.

The Hand Picked Academy is a short course that can offer you expert training on a range of employability topics including job search and writing a successful job application, skills for impressive interviews and workplace standards, alongside practical work experience.

In 2021, 69% of young people who took part moved into employment with another 18% finding places in further education.