Facing redundancy? Then get on the PACE
Skills Development Scotland can offer a range of support to those who have either lost their job or face redundancy
FOR anyone facing redundancy, support is available through the Scottish Government’s initiative for responding to redundancy situations.
Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) offers a broad range of support to help people identify their next steps.
Having worked for the same employer for 23 years, Audrey Lawson was in need of help when she was made redundant.
The 49-year-old from Airdrie worked for OKI in Cumbernauld when the firm announced plans to shut the site in 2018.
“We didn’t see it coming,” Audrey said. “People had been paid off periodically and we’d moved factories twice and downsized, but we didn’t think we would close.
“We had seen other companies like Motorola come and go but it was a bit of a shock to learn that we were all going. It came out of the blue so there was disbelief at first. You couldn’t believe that after working somewhere for 23 years, you weren’t going to work there any more. It was daunting.”
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) leads on the delivery of PACE support in conjunction with a number of partners including Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, and Citizens Advice Scotland. Audrey said: “We all wanted to be as prepared as possible, and we received the Positive Steps book which contained a lot of information.”
Audrey received additional support from SDS careers adviser Glenn Manchip.
She said: “Writing a CV is very different to the way it was the last time I did it 23 years ago, but Glenn was fantastic. He helped me with the language I was using and the best ways in which to get my message across.
Getting that service from PACE was vital. The help around preparing for an interview and how to overcome nerves was helpful.”
After receiving support Audrey went on to secure a post with care provider Cornerstone.
She said: “I’ve got experience as a carer for my mother-in-law who lives with us. In the care sector you’ve got the opportunity to build your own hours which suits me and Cornerstone have been very helpful in that respect.”
Having experienced redundancy, Audrey is keen to recommend to others facing the same thing to make use of the PACE redundancy service.
She’s one of a number of PACE users to feature in a new marketing campaign encouraging people facing redundancy to access support.
She said: “There’s no doubt that the support from PACE has been important in me getting a new job. I’d definitely recommend to other people facing redundancy that they make use of PACE. The help that is available is invaluable.
“I’ve never been out of work in my whole life and that’s why I’m excited about having this opportunity.
“After 23 years in one job it’s been great to have a fresh challenge. It came at just the right time and it’s been really exciting.”
To find out more about PACE support visit redundancyscotland.co.uk or call 0800 917 8000