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

 

As we head into Autumn, it has been another busy month for Employability with lots happening across the sector we would like to share with you.

 

Programme for Government

On Tuesday 3 September, the Programme for Government 2019-20 was announced which sets out the actions the Scottish Government will take in the coming year and beyond. The document includes the legislative programme for the next parliamentary year to drive forward change across all levels of society.

 

Information on Skills, Apprenticeships, Employability and Fair Work can be found on pages 78 – 81 of the Programme for Government reaffirming our commitment to No One Left Behind: Review of Employability Services which set out our intention to create an employability system that is more flexible, joined up and responsive to the needs of people using the services.

 

Future Skills Action Plan

The Scottish Government has published ‘Scotland’s Future Skills Action Plan’ as part of its 2019 Programme for Government. This plan builds on the success of Scotland’s skills system and sets out the strategic direction that the system must take in order to become more agile and responsive to respond to emerging economic challenges. 

 

The Scottish Government are committed to ensuring that our skills system inspires confidence in employers and individuals to best service the needs of the economy.

 

Challenge Poverty Week

Challenge Poverty Week (led by The Poverty Alliance) is being held from 7th-13th October this year and is an opportunity for individuals to raise their voice against poverty and show what is being done to tackle poverty across Scotland.

The main aims of the week are to:
• Highlight the reality of poverty and challenge the stereotypes
• Showcase the solutions to poverty
• Increase public support for action to solve poverty

Follow @CPW_Scotland for the latest on Challenge Poverty Week 2019

National Transport Strategy Consultation

Transport Scotland  launched a consultation on the draft National Transport Strategy (NTS) and are looking for your views on this.

 

Given the importance of transport (especially accessible transport) in connecting people to the labour market, we are highlighting this consultation to offer people an opportunity to provide their input into this. 

 

Transport Scotland have been developing the draft strategy with the help of groups in the third sector, passenger representatives, academic experts, business, transport operators and local government. More than 3,000 people attended more than 80 engagement events or participated through surveys. 

 

The NTS sets out the policies that Transport Scotland and their partners will pursue over the next twenty years to ensure that our transport system delivers on four priority themes: promoting equality, protecting our climate, helping our economy prosper and improving our health and wellbeing, and to achieve the vision: We will have a sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors

 

Visit consult.gov.scot to participate in the consultation which closes on 23 October 2019.

Fair Start Scotland (FSS) Toolkit

We have developed a FSS Toolkit to help and support stakeholders and organisations across the public, third and private sector across the country to  promote Scotland’s devolved employment support service Fair Start Scotland.

 

This toolkit provides resources and information to help you to promote Fair Start Scotland to individuals about the benefits of taking part in the service.

 

The information and facts can be used on your organisation’s intranet to inform your employees about Fair Start Scotland. You can also it use it on your external website, newsletters and social media to let people know about the service and help to promote the benefits to them.

 

You can access the toolkit here  

 

If you would like hard copies of our Fair Start Scotland marketing materials, (generic leaflet, postcards or business cards), please contact FairStart-Marketing@gov.scot

 

Marie

Quick News

Family Friendly Working Scotland - Top Employer Awards

Family Friendly Working Scotland have launched their Top Employer Awards which are the only awards recognising and rewarding employers that have created a great flexible and family friendly working culture.

 

Now in its sixth year, they celebrate forward-thinking employers who understand why flexibility is good for people – helping them successfully balance work and home life – as well as for business growth.

 

A link to the Awards applications and further information including categories can be found at: Family Friendly Working Scotland and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 8th November 2019.

 

UK Good Work Plan Consultations

The UK Government are seeking views on UK Good Work Plan proposals to better support parents to balance work and family-life. The consultations are listed below along with web links to further details and the closing dates.

 

Sexual Harassment in the workplace (Deadline 02 October)
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace

 

Good Work Plan: Single Enforcement Body (Deadline 06 October)
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-establishing-a-new-single-enforcement-body-for-employment-rights

 

Good Work Plan: One-sided flexibility - addressing unfair flexible working practices (Deadline 11 October)
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-one-sided-flexibility-addressing-unfair-flexible-working-practices

 

Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families
Chapter 1 (Parental leave & Pay) deadline 29 November;
Chapter 2 (Neonatal Leave & Pay) & Chapter 3 (Transparency) Deadline 11 October

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/819041/good-work-family-support-consultation.pdf

Events

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.