Street League, a football initiative that works to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people, sees three out of four of all the youngsters they work with get a job or a place in education or training.
About 65% also stay in the placement for up to three months.
Over the past 12 months, Street League has been working with Glasgow Life, which runs the city's sports facilities, to secure jobs created in sports centres.
They offer people aged 16-25 a place at a 12-week Street League Academy, which equips them with the qualifications to get a job.
Scottish Local Government Minister Derek Mackay met two employees at the Emirates Arena.
Jamie Drew and Sam Maxwell, who completed the work programme with Street League last year, both secured jobs at the Arena last summer. They work as Glasgow Life Assistants – helping to set up for events, cleaning and working on reception.
Both praised the Street League initiative for changing their lives.
Sam, 21, from Dalmarnock, had never had a job since leaving school at 15, and was a volunteer at the Dalmarnock Community Centre before she got a place on the course.
She said: "It is brilliant to have a job on right on my doorstep – it has changed my life."
Jamie, 25, from Parkhead, had been out of work for a year when he contacted Street League.
He said: "I had been out of a job for a year. Jobseeker's Allowance is not anything to live on, you just kind of exist, so it was good to know I was going to come in to a job, not just for the wage, but also to a good place to work."
Mr Mackay praised Street League for its work with young people. He said: "It boosts youngsters' confidence, their inspiration, their skill set, so they can go on and get jobs and get real chances in their life."
Street League is contracted by Clyde Gateway URC to deliver sport and employment services to young people in the area.
It works with those not in employment, education and training, including young offenders and substance misusers.
Dougie Stevenson, chief operating officer at Street League in Glasgow, said the programme was so successful because it focused on the wishes of the young person.
He said: "We try to discover what the young person wants, rather than just offering them anything."
matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk
