New bid to get the jobless into work

Local unemployment hits four-year high

A new service designed to help unemployed people find work has been launched in Stirling.

Fair Start Scotland aims to help people who face barriers getting into work to look for employment through the provision of more targeted support.

The scheme, which has come into force at a time when unemployment has reached a four-year high in the Stirling area, will be delivered by Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Councils, along with NHS Forth Valley and 26 third sector organisations.

It aims to offer more coordinated approach to helping 2,000 unemployed people across the three council areas to find work.

The project is boosted by an investment of around £1.2m from the Scottish Government over the next three to five years to provide help for unemployed disabled people and those claiming benefits who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

In Stirling it is expected that up to 600 people will be supported over the next three years.

Participants will be able to access up to a year of pre-employment support and a year of in-work support.

Fair Start Scotland says it will allocate a dedicated adviser to help applicants find work and offer support throughout their time with the service, develop the skills and attributes of individuals to help them with applications and interviews and help find volunteering and placement opportunities that can help build experience.

Participation is voluntary and does not affect existing benefits.

Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer said: “There is no one single reason why people find themselves unemployed or out of work so it is crucial we provide a service that acknowledges this and can help our most vulnerable people on an individual basis.

“Our aim here is to help people develop their skills, gain confidence and experience and guide them to the right opportunities to get back into work.

“Supporting residents farthest from the labour market to build their skills is critical to ensuring growth that both strengthens the economy and reduces inequalities.”

Tory group leader Neil Benny said: “Getting people into work is the best way to lift people out of poverty and ensuring people have the help they need to find and sustain employment is vital.

“Stirling has a very low unemployment rate but there are some areas with long-term unemployment and benefit dependency.

“Getting people the help they need to get work will make a real difference in people’s lives and help to address these issues.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of people in Stirling claiming jobseekers’ allowance and other out-of-work benefits was 930 last July but by March it had risen to 1435, the highest figure since March 2014.

The rise may reflect the roll-out of universal credit. Compared with jobseekers’ allowance, it requires a broader span of claimants to seek work.

For more information call 01786 237517 or email learningandemployability@ stirling.gov.uk.

There are some areas with long-term unemployment and benefit dependency