GLASGOW'S young people are being asked to help tackle youth unemployment.

A panel founded by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has invited a group of 16 to 24-year-olds to meet business leaders and employability advisors.

The Youth Employment Advisory Group hopes they will help it come up with a scheme to slash joblessness among that age group.

Ryan James, chairman of the Glasgow Restaurateurs' Association, said: "Youth unemployment is undoubtedly a major issue for many reasons.

"To use the hospitality industry as an example, it is important to promote the extensive opportunities for training which are available to those wishing to enter the sector, seeking to forge out a career.

"Overall, I feel it's vital for young people to quickly begin their working lives for both the social aspect which is part of every workplace, as well as their own personal development.

"By inviting individuals from this age-group along to the event we can hopefully address some of these issues."

At a meeting in The Lighthouse, the group will look into the cause and implications of youth unemployment – and hopefully uncover solutions.

While the figures are lower in Scotland than across the UK as a whole, 7.8% of 16 to 24 year olds in Glasgow were claiming Job Seeker's Allowance as of June 2013.

For Scotland this figure is 15.2% and in the UK 19.5%.

Senior representatives from major businesses based in the city are taking part in the advisory group, including Paul Campbell, organisational learning & development lead at Scottish Water, and Ryan James, chairman of the Glasgow Restaurateurs' Association.

Patricia Beattie, head of department, community and youth partnerships at City of Glasgow College, and David Scott, chief executive of GTG Training, are also taking part.

Leona Seaton, projects and employability manager at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "In order effectively tackle the problem of youth unemployment it is imperative to involve young people into the process.

"The Youth Employment Advisory Group acts as a platform which enables businesses and employability experts to engage directly with those who may be struggling to find permanent, full-time employment, as they are so often excluded from research and decision making.