Project getting parents into better-paid jobs

A project aiming to support parents into new and betterpaid jobs has so far reached more than 200 people, with 76 already progressing into work or increasing their hours and wages.

Prospects for Parents provided personalised support to groups including lone parents, those who have or are caring for youngsters with disabilities, under-25s, parents of three or more children or those aged under one, and parents from ethnic minorities.

So far 42 have progressed into work, 31 parents who were in employment have increased their hours or wages, and three people have been supported to become self-employed.

The initiative is run by North Lanarkshire Council and was supported by funding of £814,000 from the Scottish Government’s parental employability support scheme, aiming to help increase family incomes.

It provided personalised support to address barriers to work such as childcare, travel and lack of qualifications or experience, through training workshops on skills ranging from driving and construction to administration and accounting.

Staff from the council’s financial inclusion team provided advice on accessing benefits and budgeting, while the participating parents also took part in a 12-week training programme to help prepare for the workplace.

Enterprise convener Allan Graham said: “Many of the parents who took part in the programme had been unemployed for some time and faced a number of barriers to taking up employment.

“Prospects for Parents helped them retrain and upskill to get a job or progress in their careers.

“Finding a new job or moving into a better-paid role has helped both the parent and their children, by increasing their income now and for the longer term and reducing the impact of poverty on their lives.”

The initiative is part of North Lanarkshire’s tackling poverty strategy, and the authority aims to continue the programme in the year ahead with the support of further Scottish Government funding.