Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team and Third Sector delivery partners are keen to assist:
- People between the ages of 15 and 67 years who are experiencing barriers to employment
- Young people over the age of 15 years who are within 6 months of the school leaving date and who are identified as being at risk of not moving on to a positive destination
- Parents on a low-income whilst in-work, although there is a specific focus on the six priority family groups. Our service eligibility also recognises different family structures, such as a grandparent or guardian caring for a child.
- Employers looking to host a fully funded work placement.
- People ages 16 to 67 who are unemployed or underemployed looking to undertake accredited training.
Please see details below of the programmes available to residents of Argyll and Bute:
Contact the Employability Team >
Watch the value of work animation and how we can help you to get back into the workplace.
All Age Employability Support – No One Left Behind (NOLB)
Funded by the Scottish Government this programme supports individuals age 15 to 67 years who are facing barriers to employment. It also offers assistance to young people age 15 years within 6 months of leaving school who require support towards and into work.
Our Third Sector partners InspirAlba, WorkingRite and the Clyde Fishermen’s Trust provide a tailored support package to suit your individual needs to help you progress towards education, training or employment:
InspirAlba is the lead partner for the Spark Your Purpose programme. Covering the whole of Argyll and Bute their focus is very much participant engagement whilst building trust with locally based organisations who are there to assist positive choices. They understand the challenges and barriers which can affect participants and recognise the importance of building Confidence; Resilience; Aspirations and Belonging, to assist participants to progress along the employability pipeline, valuing all achievements within this context.
Spark Your Purpose - Employability Short Film, 23-24 | Rural Social Enterprise Hub
‘Spark your purpose is amazing - The financial aid and support for finding things relevant to bettering my career opportunities’
“Thanks for all your help, the webinars were awesome, and I appreciated you pointed me to them. I am awaiting webinar material which will be a big help. Thanks for everything you have helped me achieve”.
If you would like to discuss any of the support Inspiralba can offer, please contact 01586 552240 or employability@inspiralba.org.uk
WorkingRite's flexible, relational employability programme tailors individual solutions for young people aged 15-25 and beyond where needed. Their delivery area is Oban, Lorn and the Isles and Mid Argyll.
Working alongside small businesses in the community they offer a combination of intensive 1:1 support and coaching with fully mentored and individually matched work placements leading to employment, apprenticeship, further learning or another outcome that is right for each individual.
They build in regular opportunities for wider achievement, either via the completion of SQA training or via industry specific qualifications that we will support people through to aid in their ultimate objective of sustainable employment. For year 24/25 WorkingRite are introducing exciting new opportunities for people to gain SQA qualifications and also benefit from vital practical money education.
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SQA Work Placement Award - This accreditation will award trainees with a qualification for their participation on work placements and develops our offer to young people.
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SQA Employability Award - A hugely relevant qualification that feeds directly into each person’s own individual employability journey. Learning that underpins the practical experience of WorkingRite’s programme.
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MYBNK – a new partnership that will bring expert led programmes to build financial capability for our trainees at key transitional moments. The training delivered will help participants understand the wider world of money and can include practical and relevant advice on everyday matters such as minimum wage, payslips, national insurance and budgeting; all areas of massive importance when embarking on the journey into the world of work.
Relationships and wellbeing are, as ever, at the heart of our model and approach. While they always look to partner with local small businesses where there is a real opportunity for employment at the end of a successful programme, they also link up with businesses that understand and buy into our values of perseverance and social connection. The workplace mentor relationship alongside the constant support of our Project Co-ordinator is what enables the Working Rite of passage for young people accessing our programme.
If you would like to discuss any of the support WorkingRite can offer, please contact 07796508424 or Audrey@workingrite.co.uk
“I’ve worked with WorkingRite for 8 years now and have now employed 3 trainees. It a great way to train and recruit young local lads and the support is always there from WorkingRite. I have recommended this programme to other local construction businesses”.
Clyde Fishermen’s Trust offer pre-employability support and training with a focus on maritime industries in Argyll and Bute. The programme supports unemployed participants across 2 separate courses. Participants receive hands-on experience, certification and training required to pursue a career in the fishing maritime industries. During their course all participants will:
- Complete certificated training in Seafish Sea Survival, Seafish First Aid, Seafish Fire Fighting & prevention, Seafish Health & Safety, Seafish Introduction to Commercial Fishing, STCW95 Elementary First Aid and STCW95 Personal Survival Techniques.
- Receive a small subsistence allowance.
- Work closely with an Employability Officer to build confidence and employability skills; job searching, CV writing, etc.
- Undertake a 4 week supported work placement on a local boat whilst being paid Real Living Wage.
Previous courses have been very successfully with 100% of participants moving into employment.
*If you would like to discuss any of the support the Clyde Fishermen's Trust can offer, or register your interest for their next course, please contact 07470675235 or j.walker@clydefishermen’strust.com
Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF)
The Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF) funded by the Scottish Government is designed to support low income families to increase their income through work, both through supporting parents to access paid employment and in helping those in lower paid jobs to progress to higher income.
The Employability Team’s PESF Engagement Worker delivers intensive in and out of work employability support, including person centred support to upskill, apply for jobs, gain progression whilst employment, money advice, health support, motivational support, etc.
Find out more about the PESF support we can offer you
“Just to let you know I passed my HGV driving test this afternoon!! It still feels like a dream. I'm still in shock. Just wanted to say thanks so much for what you did. I couldn't have done this without you. I've finished reading the book you recommended so it's onwards and upwards for me now!”
“Thank you so much for the support I have received to date. There is no way I would have been able to afford to pay to put myself through this course, and the fact that you paid for all the resources I needed to help me through my course was amazing. It was also great to know my PESF support Worker was only a call away if I had any queries or needed help with anything. Thank you!”
If you interested in finding out how this fund may benefit you, please contact the Employability Team or telephone 01586 555990
Alternatively our Third Sector partner InspirAlba offer an array of support options also under the Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF). Linking in with the specialist support Bute Advice and ALIEnergy can offer, the focus of the programme is very much on tackling child poverty by engaging with parents to tailor support that assists them to maximise household income, reduce fuel and household poverty and develop skills and opportunities to earn through fair work.
Childcare Programme
Inspiralba provide employability coaching to participants who are interested in beginning a career as a Childminder and provide additional support alongside the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) who are able to provide guidance and specialist support. A local mentor with experience as a childminder is also able to share knowledge and experience assisting with the set-up process.
The programme enables parents to develop skills, confidence and accreditation in childcare, which in turn supports their journey to starting up and providing much needed local services as a registered childminder.
Creative Cookery
In response to the issues facing families, where food prices and energy costs are continually increasing, they provide ‘Creative Cookery’ sessions for parents on low incomes. Information on low cost, time efficient and nutritious recipes using easily sourced ingredients with energy efficiently methods of cooking enable parents to reduce costs and provide wholesome meals. Those attending the sessions, not only experience the social aspect of meeting like-minded others in similar positions, with a food starter pack and the equipment can recreate recipes and share their learning for their families and across the group.
Those interested in developing further skills can access further support to gain catering and food hygiene skills to progress into hospitality opportunities.
Self-Employment Support
Inspiralba can assist clients, who are interested in entering self-employment, to develop ideas and gain the skills and confidence required to help turn an idea into reality. The one-to-one support from an advisor can help give guidance to participants who may lack confidence in progressing a business idea to enable them to access wider support such as Business Gateway with greater clarity and assistance to take forward business planning and access grants and navigate their journey to self-employment.
If you would like to discuss any of the support Inspiralba can offer, please contact 01586 552240 or employability@inspiralba.org.uk
Parental Welfare Fund
This fund is aimed at parents receiving support through the Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF) who successfully secure employment. It helps with the transition to work and can alleviate any worries.
How much is available?
Up to £1,000, *paid as follows:
- £500 at outset of employment
- £250 at week 6 of employment
- £250 at week 13 of employment
*Payments can be split and paid flexibly over a 3 month period to suit individual requirements.
Find out more about this fund.
If you interested in finding out how this fund may benefit you, please contact the Employability Team or telephone 01586 555990
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Work Placements
The Employability Team has secured UK Government funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to offer unemployed residents of Argyll and Bute work placements. These placements offer the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge to assist with moving into future employment:
- 4 or 13 week duration
- 16 or 30 hours per week
- Real living wage paid
- Up to £100 per person work clothing allowance
- Training can be funded on an individual basis
- Each participant will have a dedicated Employability Support Worker to assist with job search, interview skills, in work support, etc
If you are an employer willing to offer a work placement opportunity, please contact the Employability Team or telephone 01586 555990
Training
The Employability Team is also offering individuals residing in Argyll and Bute the chance to apply for fully or partially funded accredited training through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The aim is to:
- Assist those who are unemployed move into work
- Help those in low income employment (earning up to £17,000 per annum) to upskill/retrain to enable them to apply for higher paid positions
If you interested in finding out how this fund may benefit you, please contact the Employability Team or telephone 01586 555990