Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team is ten years old this week (7 June).
Set up to provide a vital link between unemployment and permanent work, the Project manages the Government’s New Deal Programme locally, and over the years has assisted some 3,000 plus job seekers, with more than 1300 (43%) of those finding employment.
Offering a range of work placement, learning and skills opportunities from basic literacy skills, to construction and manufacturing skills, from external placements with a wide variety of businesses to semi-sheltered workshop experience, the Team has developed one of the most successful delivery models in the UK.
Known as Project Craftwork, the network of workshops has bases in Oban, Campbeltown, Helensburgh and Dunoon, with one in Clydebank serving the West Dunbartonshire customers. The workshops offer customers chance to experience a range of domestic trades such as plumbing, joinery, roofing, kitchen and bathroom fitting, plastering, tiling and ceramic floor laying.
Projects which the Team undertakes for bodies such as housing associations, and social services offer opportunities in landscaping and other environmental work, which also has the added value of improving the life for local communities.
Councillor Robert Macintyre, Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson for the Economy said, “Working within our remote, rural and coastal areas has its own challenges and rewards. In this context, two of the key factors in the undoubted success of the Employability Team are its innovative approach in establishing Project Craftwork and its record for excellent partnership working.
“The Council is proud of the achievements of this Team which continues to work closely with local people, both businesses and individuals, to resist the impact of the current economic downturn and to prepare a solid foundation for building recovery and economic growth.”
The council is looking to develop and expand the work of the Employability Team by bidding for a contract which would enable it to roll out “Project Craftwork” across the whole of the north of Scotland.
L-R Jane Fowler, European Manager, Robert Pollock, Head of Economic Development, Ray MacIntosh-Walley, Employability Manager, Councillor Dick Walsh, Leader of Council, George Harper, Director of Development Services
