Job support scheme aimed at helping people into work approved by Highland Council
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HIGHLAND Council has approved plans to team up with other agencies to boost jobs support amid growing unemployment in the region.
The council has also committed to create work placement and job opportunities to enabling more young people to stay and make a life for themselves in Highland.
The long-standing and emerging labour market challenges facing the Highland economy, and especially the impact on young people, were the focus of today’s meeting of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee.
To help address these challenges councillors agreed to adopt "a pro-active and leadership role with partners through the Highland Employability Partnership", to help people into employment.
As part of today’s discussions, the committee also agreed that the council will provide "enhanced work experience and job creation opportunities" and, through its management of external funding, provide support to help others to do likewise.
Chairwoman of the committee, Cllr Trish Robertson said: “With Covid-19 the challenges facing our young people are greater and now, more than ever, we need to make sure we can offer people the most comprehensive support possible as they prepare and look for work. The Highland Employability Partnership is going to be the most effective way to bring partners together to achieve this and make a difference.
She added: “With predictions that unemployment is set to rise over the next year, especially among young people, now is the time for us to provide the dedicated focus needed to drive forward our employability service re-design and to co-ordinate The Highland Council efforts towards the current labour market crisis.
“I am particularly pleased that within the Council itself we are going to be able to offer extra youth trainee work placement opportunities and see the re-introduction of our successful graduate intern programme. This not only benefits the young folk who will hopefully progress into permanent employment with us but we as an employer will benefit from having new young talent. It helps us to grow our workforce for the future.”
