Advisers provide advice and practical help on skills and employability to help local people get a job, as well as supporting employers to recruit new staff.

This includes support with a range of issues such as achieving vocational training qualifications or certification, confidence building, interview skills, debt and money advice, help with childcare and in-work support.  

In the three-month period this year, 147 young people aged 16 to 24 and 189 aged 25 and over took up new jobs with support from Routes to Work Ltd and the Prospects employment programme. The council also provided over £588,000 to businesses to support these new jobs.

This is part of the council’s commitment to helping residents and businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic, as set out in its Economic Recovery Plan.

“After reaching a peak in August 2020, the number of people claiming benefits in North Lanarkshire has decreased each month and we’re seeing more job opportunities appearing in industries that were closed during lockdown,” said Councillor Allan Graham, Convener of the Enterprise and Growth Committee.

“However, there is evidence of more long-term unemployment and people in insecure or temporary employment, as well as a significant fall in the availability of part-time work.

“It is clear that here are many people who need additional support into employment across different industry sectors and age groups, and we are working with partner agencies to provide a range of advice and practical assistance for those who need it.”

Information is available at https://northlanarkshiresworking.co.uk/

The council has received £3.2 million from the Scottish Government to support the Young Person’s Guarantee and provide jobs and training for unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds.

The money will be used in 2021/22 to provide advice and support to young people into employment through through work placements within business and council services, industry-related training, one-to-one guidance and practical advice on applying for jobs.

Financial and benefits advice will also be made available, as well as targeted support for groups such as young carers, school leavers, and young people with additional support needs or disabilities.

The Young Person’s Guarantee is being delivered through a partnership, chaired by North Lanarkshire Council, and involving the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), New College Lanarkshire, Skills Development Scotland, Routes to Work Ltd, Developing the Young Workforce Regional Group, NHS Lanarkshire, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire and Federation of Small Businesses.