ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) has today announced the appointment of three youth champions to work with the public private sector partnership, to engage and represent the views of young people across the region.

Paul Robertson, Michael Metcalfe and Sean Press have become the first ever champions for young people within ACSEF. They will ensure local young people have a voice and are actively involved in shaping the North-east’s economic development agenda.

Following ACSEF’s successful economic youth summit at the end of February, people between the ages of 16 to 24 were encouraged to submit a manifesto detailing why they should be elected as a youth champion. As the applications were of such a high standard, ACSEF has decided to appoint three champions in different roles.

Paul Robertson, 19, a politics student at the University of Aberdeen and former chair of the Aberdeen City Youth Council, will have overall responsibility for representing young people at ACSEF board and management levels.

“I have a passion to see young people really take a central role in shaping the future of Aberdeen City and Shire.

“I have dedicated three years of my time and effort to representing young people. I look forward to getting around the North-east and engaging with as many young people as I can - together we can really work towards helping to solve some of the issues that we face and ensure that young people make an effective contribution to the future success of our region.”

Paul would like to tackle regional issues and focus on the long-term diversification of the North-East economy from one reliant on oil and gas to energy and renewables.

Michael Metcalfe, (17) is a pupil at Fraserburgh Academy and will represent young people in the Shire and campaign for rural issues. Michael would like to meet with business leaders in the Banff and Buchan area to seek their support for developing more leisure activities outside of Aberdeen.

He said: “I believe in maintaining stability and growth in Aberdeen City and Shire. I want to ensure that my generation and the generations to follow, stay in this area and make it flourish.”

“We can make a major difference by listening to what young people want. I have a great knowledge of this area and believe I can relate to and address the views of my generation.”

The current chair of Aberdeen City Youth Council and a pupil of Robert Gordon’s College, Sean Press (16), is keen to address city centre issues in relation to young people.

“I believe we need to breakdown the ageist view that most young people are unruly. This has largely come about because of boredom due to a lack of facilities apart from pubs in the city centre,” he said.

“If there were more places where young people could meet friends and hang out with activities going on there would be a reduction in crime and underage drinking.”

The champions will have the opportunity to attend appropriate ACSEF events, workshops and meetings as well as gain vital experience by shadowing the ACSEF development manager.

Rita Stephen, development manager at ACSEF said: “Over 1,500 businesses have helped shape our action plan for 2025, based on their needs and ambitions. However it is our 16 – 24 year olds that will realise these goals as they are the Business and Civic leaders of the future.

“The creation of the youth champion position allows us to take a step closer to realising the ambition of a stronger economy and a greater quality of life. Paul, Michael and Sean are all great ambassadors for today’s youth and I want to encourage young men and women from any walk of life to follow in their footsteps and get involved in the region’s future. With their help, ACSEF can begin to tackle many crucial issues affecting them and ensure that we retain and attract young people to the area.

“Ultimately, we want our young people to realise the opportunities available to them in the region, capitalise on them and recognise that they do have a voice and that together we can ensure that Aberdeen City and Shire continues to prosper.”