Statistics revealed from the National Records of Scotland have shown that the proportion of residents in Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus with no qualifications is higher than that of the rest of Scotland.
Figures show that 28.0% of Blairgowrie residents and 34.8% of Coupar Angus residents have no qualifications, compared to the national average of 27%.
The figures come after the Scottish Government slashed the colleges budget, with employers regularly complaining that young people in Scotland were lacking many of the skills needed for the workplace.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“These figures are disappointing and perhaps show how the Scottish Government has taken its eye off the ball when it comes to education.
“Teachers work incredibly hard in Perthshire but they must be given access to the best possible resources in order to do their job.
“Regardless of what school leavers go on to do, having the best possible qualifications is always an asset. No-one is saying you need a university degree to get by in life, but clearly someone with absolutely no qualifications of any sort is going to find it difficult to get work.
“It seems incredible that the SNP’s answer to there being more than one million Scots with no qualifications is to cut the money for colleges.
“The Scottish Government is making it incredibly difficult for people to get on the education ladder by starting part-time courses, and is not listening to the business community which says there is a lack of skilled workers.