Philippa benefits from Paid Public Sector Placement scheme

Philippa is pictured on her first day of placement with her Workplace Mentor, Paula Chapman, Library Supervisor.

Supported by The Highland Council’s Employability Service and funded through the Scottish Government’s Long Term Unemployment Fund, Philippa Smith has joined High Life Highland for a 6-month paid placement in Inverness Library.

Working in Inverness Library as a trainee librarian assistant, Philippa will gain lots of valuable work skills and experience during her placement and will also receive support from a Workplace Mentor and an Employment Support Advisor. She will have the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications whilst also earning the Scottish Living Wage.

Speaking about her placement, Philippa who has found it difficult to find employment despite applying for many opportunities, said: “I am really enjoying my work and I am settling into the team and library environment well.  It’s good to be back at work!”

Her workplace mentor, Paula Chapman said: “We are delighted to be taking part in The Highland Council’s Paid Placement Scheme.  It is great to be able to work in partnership to deliver placements and work experience to Highland residents and help them to gain the skills and confidence to move towards permanent employment.  Philippa has a great passion for reading and libraries, she is keen to learn and is already proving to be an asset to our team.” 

Paid Public Sector Placements are currently being delivered across the Highlands within Council Services and High Life Highland hopes to begin hosting more new placements in the coming weeks.  NHS Highland have also agreed to host placement and opportunities will be advertised when they become available.

Chair of the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans added: “Paid Placements give people who have been out of the work environment for a length of time the opportunity to build their confidence, enhance their skills and CVs, while learning and earning a wage.  Traditional applications and interview processes can be a barrier to some job seekers.  This scheme helps remove some of those barriers and ensure trainees receive the support required to flourish as employees.”

“With support from Paula and ongoing input from our employability team, I am sure Philippa will learn a lot during her placement and will successfully go on to find a job which she can enjoy and which uses the new skills she will gain.”

The Highland Council’s Employability Service is hosting a drop-in Paid Placement event on Thursday (14 July) at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness from 10am – 2pm, so anyone interested in finding out more about opportunities is welcome to come along.

More information about paid placement opportunities can be found by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/employplacements