The Scottish Government is to appoint a dedicated minister for youth employment in a bid to curb the growing number of young Scots who are out of work.
First Minister Alex Salmond announced the new ministerial post - which comes with £30 million to spend tackling the problem - was being created to MSPs at Holyrood. During a debate on the issue, he told them: "At next Tuesday's cabinet a proposal will be brought forward to appoint a minister for youth employment."
The announcement follows on from an independent report last week by the Smith Group which warned youth unemployment would "remain a serious national issue" for some time and called for such a post to be established.
With 100,000 16 to 24-year-olds now out of work, Labour had also called for a new minister to be charged with addressing the problem.
Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish Government has listened to views from across the chamber and agrees with many of the Smith Group's recommendations and will establish a dedicated ministerial portfolio with a priority to promote skills and employment for young people."
It is expected the new youth unemployment minister - who will have a salary of £81,449 - will be named after the Scottish cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The creation of the post means the Scottish Government will have 20 elected politicians in its ministerial team - the same number as the teams of the three previous first ministers - Donald Dewar, Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell.
Lord Smith, who led the Smith Group, said he was "absolutely delighted" the new position was being created. He added: "I also strongly welcome that a further £30 million in funding will be committed to helping Scotland's young people into training, work or education to secure a stronger workforce for the future."
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "Alex Salmond seems finally to get the point the SNP Government have not done enough to tackle youth unemployment. I welcome the fact he will now follow Labour's call for a minister for youth jobs. Youth unemployment has doubled under the SNP since 2007."
Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, also welcomed the move and said: "With youth unemployment at alarming levels in Scotland, £30 million of new funding and a minister to specifically tackle the problem is great news."