Welcome to the May 2016 edition of the Employability in Scotland e-bulletin

We now have a new minority Government, a new Ministerial team and a fresh take on the priorities of Government over the next five years. Keith Brown has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and Jamie Hepburn as Minister for Employability and Training. In depth and detailed briefings with both Ministers have already taken place, as they both take up their new roles.  

On 25th May in Parliament, the First Minister set out strong policy themes of strong, sustainable, fair and inclusive growth; community involvement in the decisions that shape their lives; tackling inequality giving all young people the chance to reach their potential and achieve their ambitions. The full text of the speech is at: Parliamentary Business Report

On 22nd March, the Scottish Government announced up to £20 million in additional funding to replace the Work Programme and Work Choice. From 1 April 2017, existing providers will use a new one year contract to provide on-going support to disabled unemployed people in Scotland; and will use the Skills Development Scotland mechanisms for the Employability Fund to deliver a new devolved service for clients with a health condition and those at risk of long term unemployment who want to enter work. From 1 April 2019, the Scottish Government will introduce a new employability programme to help unemployed Scots find - and stay in - work, based on the principles of fairness and respect. Detail at: Investment in Employability

The Employability Team has also been busy working on the detail, scope and approach for the 1 year transitional services for 2017 and the 2018 fully devolved services announced by Ministers. This work is continuing apace, and, as with each stage of devolved employability delivery, the Scottish Government Team have been engaging and consulting our stakeholder network. This consultative and open approach will continue over the summer and more detail on the services that will be put in place from 1st April 2018 will be communicated to stakeholders later this year.

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

The latest phase of Community Jobs Scotland has opened for applications from vulnerable young people aged 16-29. 

Support for people in Scotland's oil and gas sector to use their skills in new jobs can now be accessed online thanks to the launch of a dedicated website.

March saw Springboard promote a series of events and activities as part of the Scottish Tourism Careers Festival, with employers opening their doors to highlight the range of opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Female secondary school pupils are being encouraged to build careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sectors thanks to a Skills Development Scotland project.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched the digital campaign to help young expectant and new mothers know their rights at work and have the confidence to stand up for them.

Dyslexia Pathways CIC is working in partnership with Healthy Working Lives Fife to deliver four half day dyslexia and neuro difference awareness training sessions in Fife.

Youth charity the Calman Trust is to take over and run energy company SSE's staff cafe in Inverness, providing opportunities for young people to learn and develop valued workplace skills.

The Work and Pensions Committee has published its report on Universal Credit in-work progression.

The Venture Trust has been awarded a grant from The Big Lottery Fund to develop and enhance its Inspiring Young Futures programme. 

Remember to follow us on @employinscot

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