Fife Employability Bulletin, 09 October 2013
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the first edition of the Fife Employability Bulletin. These bulletins will bring you the highlights of what is going on in the employability agenda at a national and local level. This month you’ll find updates and links on the latest thinking on ESF; Fairer Scotland Funding for 2014-15; Certificate for Work Readiness opportunities and more.
We will publish this bulletin at least quarterly – if you have new projects you want to let people know about or information to share then please get in touch with Pegs Bailey at pegs@fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk
You have been included in this mailing list as one of the projects that completed our employability mapping survey, or because you have registered an interest in the employability agenda. If you wish to unsubscribe then please use the link at the bottom of this bulletin.
Over the next week or so we will be updating the style of all FVA bulletins to make them easier to read and navigate. This will complement our new website, which will be launched at the end of October.
Best wishes,
The team at FVA.
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In this issue:
» Fife Employability Forum - date for your diary
Funding
» Fairer Scotland Funding 2014/15
» European Social Funding 2014-2020
» Scottish Welfare Fund
Training and Work Opportunities
» Vacancy - Fife Skills and Employability Partnership Manager
» Certificate of Work Readiness - an opportunity
» Employer Recruitment Incentive
» iWISH Training Course
Other News
» Opportunities Fife Website
» FVA Third Sector Employability Services Mapping Project
» DWP Commissioning Strategy
» Expert Working Group on Welfare
Fife Employability Forum
Monday 04 November, 9.00am – 12.30pm followed by networking lunch at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
FVA will be hosting the first Fife Employability Forum on Monday 04 November. At the event we will present results from our third sector employability services mapping project and look at some of the key funding challenges and opportunities coming up in 2014-15. The question for discussion: How can we best work strategically together to improve employment outcomes for the people of Fife? Also we’ll be featuring a ‘my shout’ slot – your chance to tell others about new initiatives, share challenges and get ideas.
If you would like to book a place please contact Isabel Ritchie and advise us of any dietary or special requirements that you may have.
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Fairer Scotland Funding 2014/15
The Opportunities Fife Partnership (OFP), our local employability partnership, is in the process of reviewing the provision of services within the Fife Employability Pathway. Building on this work, the Partnership will soon be publishing revised Fairer Scotland Funding (FSF) commissioning guidelines for 2014/15 and beyond for employability services. The expectation is that the guidance, application process and paperwork will be finalised by the end of this month and we hope to be hosting a brief, launch presentation at our first Fife Employability Forum on 4th November.
Although the guidelines are not yet finalised we do know that the focus will be on innovation and supporting change. OFP is keen to prioritise new initiatives which target gaps in wider provision and which support residents of the 20% most deprived SIMD datazones. They want to place an increased emphasis on third sector delivery, whilst at the same time recognising that multiple small projects are unlikely to deliver the scale of results required, particularly those which do not demonstrate clear pathways into sustained employment and/or other employment services.
In order to ensure that successful projects have as much lead time as possible they will be looking to commission employability projects before the end of December, with a view to agreeing the funding awards in January and delivery on the ground for 01 April 2014. We will distribute more information through our bulletins as it becomes available and can also support organisations with their proposals, including providing support on accessing and using data on the SIMD datazones.
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European Social Fund 2014-2020
The Scottish Government is developing the commissioning guidelines and strategy for the next round of ESF funding.
To find out more click here.
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Scottish Welfare Fund
Awareness of the Scottish Welfare Fund is increasing but there are more people who could be benefiting from it. Information about the Fund is on the Scottish Government website.
To find out more click here.
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Vacancy - Fife Skills and Employability Partnership Manager
This exciting new position in Fife Council will be responsible for setting the skills and employability priorities for Fife and delivering on the Fife Community Plan’s objective of increasing employment. This is a full-time permanent position, based in Glenrothes, with a salary of £32,400 - £39,326. Closing date for applications has been extended to 18 October 2013.
For more information click here.
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Certificate of Work Readiness – an opportunity
The Certificate of Work Readiness provides third sector organisations and social enterprises with an opportunity to support young people who need additional help to move into sustained employment.
For more information click here.
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Employer Recruitment Incentive
Barnardo’s have small pots of money to give to organisations which provide employment to young people with particular barriers to working.
For more information click here.
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iWISH training course
22nd October, Fife College, Kirkcaldy
A 6 week training and development programme for unemployed people who want to get into work in the hospitality, leisure & tourism (HLT) industry. Run by Springboard Scotland.
For more information click here.
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Opportunities Fife website
Opportunities Fife is the local employability partnership developing strategy across the region. The website also advertises modern apprenticeship and other job opportunities in the area.
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FVA Third Sector Employability Services Mapping Project
Thanks to all those who submitted data. In total 19 organisations were contacted about the survey with a total of 17 providing a completed survey on one or more employability projects at their organisation. Information was gathered for a total of 26 employability projects working in the Fife area. A full report will be available at the Fife Employability Forum meeting in November. If your organisation has an employability project which you would like to have included in the mapping then please get in touch with Christine@fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk
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DWP Commissioning Strategy
DWP have been seeking input on the commissioning strategy for the second round of Work Programme contracts, currently code named WP2. To see the FVA input click here.
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Expert Working Group on Welfare
The Expert Working Group on Welfare is seeking views on the future Welfare choices in an independent Scotland. The Group’s call for evidence opened on 23 September and will run until 13 December 2013.
For more information click here.
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Fife Voluntary Action
Tel: 08456 006 046
E-mail: info@fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk
Fife Voluntary Action is the Third Sector Interface for the Fife Council area.
supporting, developing and representing community groups,
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Website: www.fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk
Registered Office: 23-27 Randolph Street, Buckhaven, KY8 1AT.
Fife Voluntary Action is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland No. SC203613 and Registered Scottish Charity No. SCO28457.
