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�鶹���� and Bute Council’s Employability Team and Third Sector delivery partners are keen to assist:

• People between the ages of 16 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, economically inactive or underemployed looking to undertake accredited training.

Please see details below of the �鶹����s available to residents of �鶹���� and Bute:

Contact the Employability Team >

 and how we can help you to get back into the workplace.

Work Placements - No One Left Behind (NOLB)

�鶹���� and Bute Council’s Employability Team is offering Real Living Wage paid work placements to unemployed residents of �鶹���� and Bute. Placements are fully funded by No One Left Behind, which focusses on offering a tailored and responsive delivery model to help and support people on their journey towards, and into work.

Participant Eligibility

Those who:

• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Are aged between 16 and 66 years
• Are at risk of becoming long term unemployed (12 months or more) and/or are experiencing a physical or mental health condition or illness lasting or expected to last 12 months.    

Employer Eligibility

Those who:

• Have adopted Fair Work principles including the practice of paying their entire workforce at least the Real Living Wage.
• Can provide a copy of their *Real Living Wage Accreditation certificate.

*Accreditation can be obtained from 

Work placement Details

Each placement is tailored to individual need:

• Up to 26 weeks duration
• Up to 30 hours per week
• Up to £100 per person work clothing/PPE allowance
• Training monies available, budget on a case-by-case basis
• Each participant will have a dedicated Employability Support Worker to assist with regular job search, interview skills, in work support, etc.
• A health and safety check must be carried out by the Council’s Corporate Health and Safety Team prior to placement approval and commencement.

If you are interested in hosting a work placement/s, please contact employability@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01586 555990

All Age Employability Support – No One Left Behind (NOLB)

Funded by the Scottish Government this �鶹���� supports individuals age 16 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, the Clyde Fishermen’s Trust and Street League provide a tailored support package to suit your individual needs to help you progress towards education, training or employment:

 is the lead partner for the Spark Your Purpose �鶹����. Covering the whole of �鶹���� 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.  

The range and diversity of support and activities is expansive to ignite a spark of interest and inspire engagement in the �鶹���� and progression along the employability pipeline. Examples include:  

• Improving Confidence and Self Esteem; working one to one to understand barriers and look at opportunities in a positive way.  Additional coaching and counselling sessions for participants with additional barriers.
• Understanding the local labour market and wider opportunities, as well as support for ongoing progression.  This is informed through working in partnership with partners such as SDS and DWP as well as working with local employers.
• Develop New Skills; again, this includes a diversity of activities, including; support with driver theory and learning to drive, crafts, sports, construction and IT skills. 
• Improving Health and Wellbeing; such as sessions of therapy e.g. Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) or support to engage in exercise, or purchase equipment to encourage exercise or outdoor activity. 
• Achieving Accredited Training; undertaking a wide range of training, depending on the aspirations of the participant, e.g. CSCS Card, Food Hygiene Certificate, Chainsaw Certificate, Nail Technician, Plant and Machinery certificates. 

Specialist Employability Support (SES)

*It should be noted InspirAlba has been awarded NOLB funding to deliver Specialist Employability Support for the partnership. This means all NOLB delivery partners; �鶹���� and Bute Council’s Employability Team, Clyde Fishermen’s Trust and Street League can also signpost participants to the SES service. 

Additional support for participants with Learning Disability/ Additional Support Needs, Disability, Neurodiversity, Autism as well as issues including Addiction and Mental Health barriers to overcome barriers, both for the individual and for employers.   ​

​​They aim to bring their tailored person centred, holistic approach to SES to assist individuals to build confidence and skills, identify opportunities and progress in to volunteering, work placements and wage-based employment. This includes working with the individual and employers to ensure access to and sustainability of outcomes.

Skills Pipeline Pilot

The �鶹���� and Bute Employability Partnership identified specific skills needs in different areas of �鶹����, due to skills shortages (e.g. Care and Hospitality) & emerging opportunities, (Construction and Engineering skills).  Employers highlight specific skills and have jobs available for individuals with these skills.  ​

InspirAlba are running a skills pipeline pilot which includes: ​

• Tailored training 
• Work experience
• Training Expenses (£60 per week)​
• Direct engagement with employers from the associated industry
• Interview prep and mock interviews​

This will then lead on to work placements and progression into available employment opportunities.​The Skills Pipeline approach will support participants to gain industry specific skills and training to assist their progression into available jobs in the area.​

Extended Skills Pipeline support will be available for people requiring Specialist Employability Support

Work Based Placements

Work Based Placements for young people aged 16-24. ​​After engagement with employers, young people will be matched with an appropriate work placement:

• ​Each participant will receive £120 per week for up to 25 weeks. £60 from the NOLB funding and a further £60 matched from the employer.​
• ​There will be support in place for the employer and the young person which InspirAlba aim to lead into progression to remain in employment after this time. ​
• ​Employers must complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of their employer's liability insurance.

‘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 

Interested in a career at sea? The Clyde Fishermen’s Trust offers Pre-employability support and training aimed at helping you launch your maritime career! Unemployed and economically inactive residents of �鶹���� and Bute have the chance to participate in a three-week residential course which provides the skills, experience and certifications necessary to pursue a career within the fishing and maritime industries. 

Each participant will receive:

• A comprehensive range of theoretical and practical skills including all STCW certifications necessary to work on board any vessel, plus essential hands-on training such as net mending and sea survival exercises conducted in a local pool
• A subsistence allowance throughout the course and support with travel and accommodation where required. This means that the course is accessible to anyone in �鶹���� and Bute regardless of location.
• Personalised support from an Employability Officer to build confidence, develop crucial job skills and find work.
• A fully supported 4-week work placement on a local vessel while earning the Real Living Wage.

Please visit  to find out more and sign up. 

Previous courses have been very successful with 93% of participants moving into employment. 

Street League deliver from Helensburgh Parish Church and Centre 81 in Garelochhead, covering the communities of Rosneath, Kilcreggan, Cardross, Luss and Arrochar. They use the power of sport, learning and employability to provide an engaging context to participants joining their �鶹����s. Through embracing participants’ passions for sport and utilising the ‘power of the group’, they look to teach vital employability and life skills required to succeed in work. 

Street League has extensive experience working with participants aged between 16-24 and not in employment, education or training. They engage in employability provision in a fun and inclusive way, seeking to alleviate barriers that prevent participants from sustaining a positive outcome. This bespoke model of support focuses on quality of learning with a relatively intense level of interaction over a short period of time to help participants gain the skills and confidence needed to overcome barriers and progress into sustainable employment, education or training.

Street League deliver sector-based academy �鶹����s, for young people aged 16-24.  These �鶹����s are 10 weeks long, and focus on every young person and their individual needs and barriers by undertaking the following activity:

• SQA National Progression Award in Customer Service, SCQF Level 4 – a generic customer service qualification which is applicable to multiple fields of work.
• Personal development and employability workshops including but not limited to; Health and wellbeing, confidence building, skill and qualities, CV building, appropriate email creation and digital footprint, mock interview (including online), job search, application forms.
• External Supports and life skills including – digital skills, money advice, mental health supports, gambling awareness, drug & alcohol awareness and sexual health.
• Skills Builder – young people will utilise the online soft skills tool to self-assess their ‘soft skills’, identifying at least two areas for improvement whilst on �鶹����. They will set themselves personal challenges to achieve improvements in these.
• Various sector based ‘tasters’ and inserts – Street League will partner with SMEs within �鶹���� and Bute in the sectors of warehousing, retail, hospitality and leisure and will work with these employers to offer exposure to these worlds of work, allowing young people to try various industries. This will be done through employer talks, visits and employer lead workshops and Q&As. For those who show a particular aptitude or interest, work experience will also be available.  This gives young people exposure to multiple sectors and allows a ‘try before you buy’ approach, ensuring they don’t fall at the first hurdle by entering a sector that they then realise they dislike.
• External supports - A range of external supports will be made available for anyone who requires them and we will work closely with our colleagues in �鶹���� and Bute to take advice, guidance and support where ourselves, or a young person, requires it.
• Independent travel – Street League cover travel workshops on �鶹���� and will utilise their relationships with bigger employers in the city to offer young people experiences outwith their local geography, giving them the confidence to look further afield. 

If you would like to discuss the support Street League can offer, or register your interest for their next course, please contact Iain Cameron – 07824112545, or at iain.cameron@streetleague.co.uk

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 Workers deliver 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!” 

Read our privacy notice

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 partneroffer 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 �鶹���� 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 �鶹���� 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 

Our Employability Team are seeking employers interested in providing a work placement to unemployed or economically inactive residents of �鶹���� and Bute.

Fully funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 4,13 and 26 week placements are available offering 16 or 30 hours per week. 

Work placements pay the Real Living Wage, fund training and provide PPE/ work clothing. Participants will also be supported by a dedicated Employability Keyworker.

To register your interest, please visit email employability@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01586 555990.

Our Employability Team is offering individuals the chance to apply for full or partially funded accredited training through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). 

The aim is to:

• Assist those who are unemployed or economically inactive move into work
• Help those in low income employment (earning up to £19,656 per annum) to  upskill/retrain to enable them to apply for higher paid positions

If you are resident in �鶹���� and Bute and interested in finding out how this fund may benefit you, please contact employability@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01586 555990.