The achievements of Routes to Work (RTW), which provides services helping unemployed residents throughout North Lanarkshire, have been celebrated.
The organisation, which was set up in 2002, provides people with access to opportunities in employment, education and training; and over that time, it has supported more than 20,000 people back into the labour market.
John McDougall, Chairman of Routes To Work, said: “Making a difference to people in North Lanarkshire means everything to the staff and stakeholders at Routes To Work.
“We exist to help North Lanarkshire’s residents achieve their aims in life by providing sector-leading skills and employability support.
“In doing so, we contribute to improving the economy of North Lanarkshire, reducing poverty and creating a society where everyone has a good quality of life.
“This year’s annual report focuses on the differences we have continued to make despite the very difficult times faced during the pandemic and beyond.
“Our report highlights the ways way have achieved this by supporting our local people at the heart of the communities in North Lanarkshire.”
Highlights in the report include the Kickstart initiative - in partnership with VANL - where RTW became a gateway organisation for the third sector bringing in over £420k to North Lanarkshire and changing the lives of many young people.
The company supported 3300 clients with ‘work of value’ which is defined as a minimum of three separate interventions beyond the initial contact.
And they maintained their “in-work 26-week sustainability levels” for clients at 75%; that means that three out of four clients sustain work past 26 weeks with RTW.
In addition, RTW created a Social Value Framework to measure the soft outcomes of our clients' journey, in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland through our Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
Routes to Work, which is an arms-length organisation of North Lanarkshire Council, provides services from 40 outreach centres in the local communities as well as our four main premises in Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, and Wishaw.
Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone associated with Routes To Work for their outstanding achievements over the past two decades.
“We have a positive plan for North Lanarkshire, its businesses and for people who live here. We are working hard with local and national organisations to continue to grow the local economy and create jobs.”
For more information, visit: https://www.routestoworkannualreport.com