Welcome to the July 2019 edition of the Employability in Scotland e-bulletin

​It's been a busy month for the employability team as summer comes to a close. Last month’s e-bulletin advised the publication of the first Fair Start Scotland Evaluation: Implementation and Early Delivery Review. Fair Start Scotland continues to make a difference to individuals. One participant said “For the first time in such a long time I feel my life is on the right track. I am so much more motivated. The support I have received has been amazing and would recommend anyone who is looking for work to attend.”

The employability team have been busy creating new Fair Start Scotland leaflets this month. Please get in touch if you would like a supply of leaflets to share with individuals who may be interested in participating

​(Photo: Scottish Government)

Flexible Workforce Development Fund – Year 3
The Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills launched Year 3 of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund on 16 July during a visit to Technip in Dunfermline.
Technip have benefited from the Fund by offering their employees upskilling and reskilling opportunities delivered via Forth Valley College.

Further information can be found here.

SDS Publication of Apprenticeship Equality Action Plan Year 3 Update

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) published its Apprenticeship Equality Action Plan (EAP) Year 3 update on Monday 29 July 2019 outlining their work with partners and employers on a national and regional basis.

You can view a copy of the plan here.

(Photo: Capital City Partnership)

On Thursday the 20th June, a Ministerial delegation from the Basque region enjoyed a visit to  Edinburgh St. James Development, to see an example of the services being delivered by Capital City Partnership; the delivery body for the City of Edinburgh’s employability strategy.

The delegation heard about the Fair Work Agenda and how the public, private partnership is an example of working with employers to enhance this and promote inclusive growth.

Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills and Abertay University staff welcoming Living Wage Accreditation (Photo: The Scottish Government)

Abertay University has been announced as the first major employer in Dundee to achieve Living Wage employer status since ambitions to create a Living Wage City were announced earlier this year.

Abertay University employs over 700 staff directly and the University’s Living Wage accreditation ensures all staff and regular contracted workers earn the voluntry rate of pay set annually by the Living Wage Foundation, currently set at £9 per hour.

Further information can be found here.

Who Cares Scotland hosted the first Care Experienced and Employment Summit on 30 July in Glasgow. The event aimed to enhance the understanding for Care Experienced people through an Expert Panel discussion, related workshops and guest speakers.

Please don't forget to stay 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.

Julia

NHS Scotland are looking to appoint Non-executive Whistleblowing Champion Board Members. For more information and to apply click here 

Scotland’s largest annual policy event, The Social Enterprise Policy & Practice Conference is taking place on September 5th. You can find out more information and get tickets here.

Remember to follow us on @employinscot

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