'Fife works' on new employment project » Local Government » 24dash.com

An exciting new partnership that aims to provide 120 jobs in Fife for disadvantaged unemployed adults and young people was launched at a conference in Glenrothes yesterday.

Over 60 delegates from employability organisations across Fife attended the launch of the new Fife Works programme, a partnership with Fife Council, Skills Development Scotland, Jobcentre Plus, Fife Housing Association Alliance and Kingdom Housing Association.

The partnership aims to coordinate the approach to the training and employment opportunities created by capital projects in Fife, helping candidates secure opportunities and gain vital work experience, to make them attractive to employers.

Initially, the programme will focus on opportunities within the construction, retail and public sectors, with the emphasis on practical training.

It is hoped that once established, the scheme will branch out into other sectors.

Three new employees will work on the project, as it aims to facilitate up to 200 training opportunities in its first two years. Three new staff members are Lynne Dunn, Co-ordinator, Joanne Aitken, Development Worker and Ashley Gray, Senior Administrative Officer.

Lynne Dunn, Fife Works Co-ordinator said: “I was delighted to see so many people here today to hear how this exciting new venture will make a difference to the people in Fife. Unemployment can be such a blight on people’s lives. We aim to help them overcome this and get their lives back on track.”

Fife has many planned capital projects in the construction, retail and public sectors which can provide the kind of training and opportunities for people who are unemployed and give them the chance to gain the skills necessary to compete in the jobs market.

The Fife Works Team will source these opportunities and support candidates towards employment, whilst also providing a vehicle to enable Community Planning partners to engage in the employability agenda in Fife.

Hazel Mathieson, Regional Director, Skills Development Scotland, Glenrothes said: “This new approach will make a huge difference to the people of Fife. It’s vitally important that we get the right training and support in place to help people get the skills they need to effectively compete in today’s job market. Fife Works will ensure that we do just that.”

Andrew McDaniel, Community Initiatives Officer at Kingdom Housing Association, said: “Fife Works is about maximising opportunities and linking up with employers and training providers to meet their needs. There is a lot of potential for the scheme and we see it as wide open for development, particularly during this time of economic downturn.

“There are companies out there who are crying out for trainees, but there can be a lot of confusion over the number of schemes out there. We aim to provide employers and training providers with a one-stop shop, simplifying things for them.”

The project is based at the Crosshill Business Centre, Crosshill.