Twitter icon Forward icon

Monthly E-bulletin

Welcome to the February edition of the Employability in Scotland e-bulletin.

With only 5 weeks to go until Work Able Scotland and Work First Scotland commence, final preparations are well underway. This includes a significant range of partnership and engagement activity with colleagues in Jobcentre Plus to develop awareness and support readiness for live running. We appreciate the significant amount of work that all our partners, including those in local government, the third sector and others have put into supporting us in getting to this stage with the 2017 service. Through your efforts in participating in the 2015 Consultation on employability support and sharing your experience and expertise, we are in place to deliver one of the first new powers to be devolved under the Smith Commission. Massive thanks go to all those who have made a contribution and we are looking forward to seeing both programmes in live running.

In parallel, work on developing the 2018 service is continuing at pace.

Earlier this month, during his appearance before the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee the Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, announced that that nine contract areas will deliver employment support across Scotland next year, with one of the areas set to be reserved for supported businesses. A further update has been released today that this will be West contract area, which encompasses East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire.

Information on this is available on the Employability in Scotland website on the 2018 Reserved Contract Area tab

We expect to issue an Invitation To Tender (ITT) to deliver the 2018 service on 8 March on the Public Contracts Scotland Website and will issue a further communication when the ITT goes live. We also intend to hold a Tenderers Briefing meeting in Perth and a separate meeting in the West contract area following publication of the ITT:

Perth: Monday 20 March

West Contract Area: Friday 24 March

We are currently finalising arrangements, however full details, including how to register/book a place will be notified on the ITT.

Finally, don’t forget to keep in touch. We are always happy to receive your case studies, examples of good practice and your contributions for the Employability in Scotland website and e-bulletin.


Best wishes

Joanne

£96 Million Employment Support Contracts Out To Tender

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Employability and Training, has announced that contracts worth up to £96 million will be put out to tender to deliver Scotland's full programme of employment services from 2018.

Inverness and Highland City Region Deal Signed

The £315 million Inverness and Highland City Region Deal has been formally signed, sealing the Deal for the release of funding for a number of business cases.

£6.1 Million for Community Jobs Scotland Programme

The funding for the CJS programme will support up to 700 new job opportunities for 16-29 year olds, targeting groups of young people who face significant difficulties finding employment.

#GenderPayGap

The Scottish Parliament Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee are undertaking an inquiry into the gender pay gap in Scotland and need your help.

First Minister Becomes 'First Mentor'

Aspiring young women aged between 18 and 23 will have the chance to be mentored by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Future of Scottish Jobcentre Plus Sites to be Discussed

Proposed Jobcentre Plus office closures could increase the risk of sanctions and put pressure on people who are already facing stressful circumstances, Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn has announced.

Young People Twice As Likely As Adults To Volunteer

Volunteer Scotland have found that 52% of young people volunteered in the last year, compared to only 25% of adults.

See Potential Employer Toolkit Launched

A first-of-its-kind employer toolkit - See Potential - designed to help businesses recruit and retain more single parents and care leavers has been launched by the DWP.

Quick News

Scottish Employment Increases
There are now 47,000 more people in employment compared to the pre-recession peak, while youth unemployment rates are at record lows.

Report: How Poverty Affect People's Decision Making Processes
The JRF report reviews the evidence on the relationship between socio-economic status and psychological, social and cultural processes that underpin decision-making.

 

Apprenticeships on Course to Meet Targets
Statistics for the third quarter published by SDS show strong progress to the annual target of 26,000 MA starts.

Report: Working Well - A Plan to Reduce Long-Term Sickness Absence
The IPPR report makes the case for a new 'Fit Pay' policy that would give employers the incentive to work with staff to keep them healthy and in work.

Events

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017
6 - 10 March 2017
Get involved and celebrate the benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals, businesses and the economy.

Making Skills Work for Your Business
7 March 2017 - Aberdeen
Skills Development Scotland will be in Aberdeen outlining the opportunities available to employers within the Apprenticeships Family.

 

Employability & Muslim Women in Scotland
20 March 2017 - Edinburgh
Amina is hosting an exciting and thought provoking event, bringing together mainstream and other employability providers to help foster best practice and ensure services are inclusive of the employability needs of Muslim women.

Scotland Welfare Rights Conference 2017
19 May 2017 - Glasgow
The CPAG in Scotland conference gives delegates the opportunity to heard from political leaders, experts and academics about the latest developments and the implications for their work. 

 

 

Remember to follow us on @employinscot

You can view all current consultations from the Scottish Government online.