Event to help people into employment well attended

The Paid Placement event that took place at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness on Wednesday 23 August attracted a good turnout.

80 unemployed Highland residents looking to gain paid work experience with Highland Council, Highlife Highland, NHS Highland and Third Sector Organisations came along to find out about job opportunities and to speak to people providing support.

Opportunities highlighted included clerical, warehousing, hospitality, care, childcare, facilities management, sport and leisure posts.

Chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said. “I want to thank everyone involved in organising this drop-in event and also everyone who took the time to come along.

“Paid Placement is about working in partnership to deliver placements and work experience to Highland residents and help them to gain new skills and confidence. Traditional applications and interview processes can be a barrier to some job seekers.  This scheme helps remove some of those barriers and ensures trainees receive the support required to flourish as employees. I wish all the young people every success as they move towards permanent employment.”

Everyone who came along will be invited to register with the Highland Council’s Employability Service to receive support to move into Paid Placements and Sustainable Employment.  All registered clients of the Highland Employability Service will have access to training, barrier removal funding to support with the costs of moving into work & key worker support.

Paid Public and Third Sector Placements will support:-

• young people, 16 -24 with limited work experience
• unemployed parents with children, 16 and under
• people over 25 years of age who have been out of work for 9+ months

Anyone interested in finding out more information about Paid Placements or looking for employability support is encouraged to email employability@highland.gov.uk