Fair Start Scotland Archives - Fedcap Employment

Ukrainians given helping hand to find employment in Scotland

Fedcap Scotland — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:36:10 +0000

Almost 200 people being supported – with nearly half now in a job

Ukrainians settling in Scotland after fleeing the Russian invasion of their home country are being given a helping hand to secure a job during their stay.

Fedcap Scotland, a not-for-profit organisation with 85 years’ experience in the employability sector, has launched a campaign specifically aimed at supporting Ukrainians into work through Fair Start Scotland, the Scottish Government devolved employment support service.

Almost 200 people are being supported in their quest for sustainable employment – with nearly half having already found jobs in recent weeks within a range of sectors including retail and hospitality.

And four Ukrainian citizens, who originally came to Fedcap Scotland for support, are now working as employment advisers themselves, including Anna Kyryzliieva.

Anna came to Scotland with just one bag of belongings after her home in Mariupol was bombed. She was hosted by friends who lived in Ayrshire and she made contact with Fedcap Scotland’s Ayr office to look for work through Fair Start Scotland, which eventually led to Anna securing an employment adviser role within the organisation.

Anna is now the face of an innovative digital campaign run by Fedcap Scotland to encourage more Ukrainians to seek support. She has recorded a video in both English and Ukrainian that is being promoted through Facebook to reach as many people as possible.

She has now met Minister for Employment and Fair Work,Richard Lochhead, to tell him of her journey from Ukraine to Scotland.

At the opening of Fedcap Scotland’s Ayr office this week, attended by Mr Lochhead, Anna spoke about her experiences and how she is now helping other Ukrainians through her role as an employment adviser.

Anna said: “When I came to Fedcap Scotland, my Fair Start Scotland personal adviser was Jenna. She created an absolutely awesome CV for me and helped me prepare for interviews, but the most important thing she did for me was give me back my confidence.

“Then one day – it was an absolutely brilliant day – I had an interview with Fedcap. I love my brilliant team. They helped me in my working journey and they helped me after I got the job. I am very appreciative.

“By helping people get a job, Fedcap Scotland is helping the process of Ukrainians settling in Scotland. When you come here, you are not sure what will happen in your future. Integration into society is important and when you find a job, you feel safe. And now I feel safe, I can help other people.”

Minister for Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead, said: “I’m delighted to visit Fedcap Scotland’s Ayr office to see first-hand how this not-for-profit organisation, together with The Lennox Partnership, is successfully delivering the Scottish Government’s employment support service across the East and South West of Scotland and hear about Anna’s remarkable journey from besieged Mariupol to Ayr.

“Fair Start Scotland has been assisting people who face significant challenges accessing the labour market – who now include those fleeing the war in Ukraine – since April 2018. In that time there have been more than 17,500 job starts from those supported, helping to tackle inequalities and grow Scotland’s economy.”

Brian Bell, CEO of Fedcap Scotland, said: “Anna’s story of leaving her homeland is sadly not untypical, and we want to help as many Ukrainians as possible. They’ve found a safe and welcoming home in Scotland, and we’re working hard with employers and other partners to find meaningful employment for them that will help them to settle more quickly into life here.

“We hope that our digital campaign, which is available in Ukrainian, Russian and English will help send the message that support is available to overcome any barriers they may face in their search for a job.”

The post Ukrainians given helping hand to find employment in Scotland appeared first on Fedcap Employment.

MSP visits service helping Kilmarnock community

Fedcap Scotland — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:23:01 +0000

We have welcomed local MSP Willie Coffey to our newly refurbished office in Kilmarnock.

As one of the providers currently delivering the Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland support service across the country, we are helping support people into suitable, sustainable jobs.

Most people who receive employability support from Fedcap Scotland find work within three months, despite almost nine out of ten people who joined the service having been out of work for more than one year.

Across the country, Fedcap Scotland’s teams have been responsible for supporting more than 14,000 people in the last three years as it works with partners to improve people’s standards of living and their health and wellbeing.

During the visit, the MSP and guests were given an insight into how Fedcap Scotland helps people overcome the barriers they face to realise their ambitions and reach their long-term goals. This includes providing support to improve people’s health and wellbeing, further reducing potential barriers to finding and staying in employment.

MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Willie Coffey, said: “What I like about Fedcap is the way they work directly with people, one to one, to help them on their path to employment. They spend time understanding a person’s needs and they help them find and prepare for those opportunities.

“Seeing people succeeding with a little help on the way must be very rewarding for the Fedcap support teams.

“And I wish them continued success in this really important area of helping people into work.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, was also in attendance and said: “Fedcap Scotland is opening a new office in the heart of Kilmarnock town centre, near to the main transport links, that will provide a focused employment service to the people of East Ayrshire.

“East Ayrshire Council will be working in partnership with Fedcap. Their team has already helped over 14,000 people in Scotland learn new skills, find new jobs and progress their careers and together I know we can deliver real change locally.”

Brian Bell, Fedcap Chief Executive, said: “We’ve been operating in Scotland for over three years and I am really excited about Fedcap’s continuing investment in Scotland. We work with the long-term unemployed and those in need of support whether due to health, mental health, addiction or other needs.

“We’re delighted to be officially opening our refurbished office in Kilmarnock, so we can support even more people to realise their potential and live better lives. We treat people according to our values, kindness, respect and integrity. We really make a difference getting them into work, almost 1,000 so far in Kilmarnock.”

The post MSP visits service helping Kilmarnock community appeared first on Fedcap Employment.

Employability specialist opens new Livingston office

Fedcap Scotland — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 14:22:46 +0000

We’re supporting long-term unemployed people in West Lothian.

We have opened a new office in Livingston to help long-term unemployed people and those with barriers to work.

Fedcap Scotland is currently delivering the Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland support service in Livingston and across the country, helping people into suitable, sustainable jobs.

Most people who receive employability support from us find work within three months, despite almost nine out of ten people who joined the service having been out of work for more than one year.

Across the country, our teams have been responsible for supporting more than 14,000 people in the last three years as it works with partners to improve people’s standards of living and their health and wellbeing.

Employers and partners from across the town attended an official opening of the office in Stadium House, Alderstone Road.

During the visit, guests were given an insight into how Fedcap Scotland helps people overcome the barriers they face to realise their ambitions and reach their long-term goals. This includes providing support to improve people’s health and wellbeing, further reducing potential barriers to finding and staying in employment.

Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, said: “I am delighted to welcome Fedcap Scotland to their new base in Livingston and to thank them and their partners for the successful delivery of the Scottish Government’s flagship employability programme, Fair Start Scotland.

“Fedcap Scotland recognises that everyone is different, some people only need a wee bit of support to access the job of their dreams, whilst others need wider support with skills development and their health and wellbeing to reach their full potential. Investing in people of all backgrounds not only helps to support communities and grow our local economy but most of all it helps to turn lives around.”

Cllr Damian Doran-Timson, for East Livingston and East Calder at West Lothian Council, said: “It’s more important than ever that people who need support to get into employment are given the tailored support that Fedcap give. It is fantastic to see how many people have been successful in gaining long term employment thanks to Fedcap. This will hopefully continue for many years to come for West Lothian.”

Susan Paterson, Operations Director at Fedcap Scotland, said: “We’ve been successful because we know everyone is different and we’re able to take the time to get to know our customers and find out about their lives.

“We’re delighted to open up this new office in Livingston, so we can support even more people to realise their potential and live better lives.”

The post Employability specialist opens new Livingston office appeared first on Fedcap Employment.

Edinburgh community to benefit from newly-refurbished office

Fedcap Scotland — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 14:22:31 +0000

We’ve officially opened our newly-refurbished office in Edinburgh.

Fedcap Scotland is currently delivering the Fair Start Scotland service in partnership with The Lennox Partnership in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, helping people to pick up new skills, confidence and experience and into suitable, sustainable jobs. People who receive employability support from Fedcap Scotland find work on average within three months.

Stephanie Lang, Employer Relationship Manager for Capital City Partnership, said: “Capital City Partnership co-ordinates employability strategy and delivery through partnership working to tackle inequality and poverty, sFedcap Scotland works in the city to help people tackle health conditions, learn new skills, find new jobs and progress their careers. Across the country, our teams have been responsible for supporting more than 14,000 people in the last three years.

The newly branded and refurbished office in Edinburgh was visited by partners and employers. During the visit, attendees were given an insight into how Fedcap Scotland helps people overcome the barriers they face – including tackling health concerns and poverty – to realise their ambitions and reach their long-term goals.

Some 92.7% of Fedcap Scotland’s customers in Edinburgh have been unemployed for more than a year, while 80.6% have been unemployed for more than two years. After receiving health and wellbeing support from the organisation, customers showed a 59% improvement, on average, in their health conditions.

The Fedcap Scotland team are also working with some of Scotland’s leading employers to help the region bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic with reliable workers.

upport job growth, and help more people into employment and skills.

“We welcome every opportunity to work in partnership with key agencies and services and are pleased to welcome Fedcap into the city as a trusted partner, already evidenced in their support of the FUSE Recruitment & Skills Hub for the St James Quarter and city centre recruiting businesses.”

Eaman Abdel-Rahman, a Fedcap Scotland participant in Fair Start Scotland, said: “I was a cancer patient and I think I lost a bit of me. Fedcap’s courses helped to get me back to where I am.

“The new Fedcap Hub is like, wow! I like that very much. Shirley Ann Grey, my Personal Adviser, helped me into a DPSI translator course and a job in a local bank, giving me the confidence I need.

“Thanks to Fedcap Scotland, I have regained my confidence and got my life back.”

Brian Bell, Fedcap Chief Executive Officer, said: “You’ve seen today the passion of our people, helping participants who’ve been out of work for a long time. There is a real need for our service, and Fedcap is investing in its portfolio across Scotland to further improve our delivery for participants and employers.”

The post Edinburgh community to benefit from newly-refurbished office appeared first on Fedcap Employment.

Local MSP visits service helping Dunfermline community

Fedcap Scotland — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:22:17 +0000

We’ve welcomed a local MSP and employers to our newly refurbished Dunfermline office.

Our Fedcap Scotland team has helped more than 14,000 people across the country learn new skills, find new jobs and progress their careers.

And our base in Dunfermline, at New Row, was visited by Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville on Monday 22 August.

During the visit, the MSP, who is also the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, was given an insight into how Fedcap Scotland helps people overcome the barriers they face – including tackling health concerns and poverty – to realise their ambitions and reach their long-term goals.

Some 94% of people receiving health and wellbeing support from Fedcap Scotland have since said they can now manage their health better as a result.

The team is also working with some of Scotland’s leading employers to help the region bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic with reliable workers.

Fedcap is currently delivering the Fair Start Scotland service in partnership with the Lennox Partnership in Dunfermline and the surrounding area, helping people to pick up new skills, confidence and experience and into suitable, sustainable jobs.

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said:  ”I was delighted to be invited along to visit Fedcap Scotland’s new office here in Dunfermline.

“It was a great opportunity to find out how the service will operate and to meet the staff working hard to help local people find the best path forward.

“If anyone is looking for help and support finding work or training then I would definitely encourage them to join the Fair Start Scotland service.”

“We’re delighted to have been able to make these changes to our office in Dunfermline so we can provide the right environment to continue to support even more people to realise their potential and live better lives. We were also thrilled that Shirley-Anne could visit our office and celebrate with us.”

The office, which has been extensively improved and refurbished, was also visited by local employers and partners.

Craig Waterston, Business Development Manager and HR Lead from Greenfold Systems Ltd, recently visited the office and said: “We’ve been working with Fedcap for over two years now and the support they provide has been invaluable. Because of the relationship we have with the Fedcap team, we are making well-suited appointments in a fast and effective way.

“Their staffing support has directly contributed the success of our business and for that we are grateful. I would encourage other employers to contact Fedcap too.”

The post Local MSP visits service helping Dunfermline community appeared first on Fedcap Employment.

Petros goes the extra mile to support Queen, a Fair Start Scotland participant

rebeccasylvester — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:42:30 +0000

Petros recognised Queen’s barriers to work, and went above and beyond to support her by personally applying for vacancies in local businesses.

Queen was illiterate, which proved to be a barrier to her finding sustainable employment.

A single mother-of-three who was illiterate in both English and Nigerian, Queen needed significant support to find a job once she had moved to Scotland from her native Nigeria.

She had found it incredibly difficult to secure employment in the past, with many barriers stopping her reach her goal of finding sustainable employment to help support her family and develop her confidence. Thanks to Fair Start Scotland and the personalised support of Personal Adviser, Petros Mersinis, Queen’s fortunes soon turned around.

Upon hearing Queen’s story, Petros not only took it as his responsibility to find Queen sustainable employment but also to act as her mentor for life in the UK.

His first step was to register Queen with City of Edinburgh Council so that she could attend free lessons to learn reading and writing in English. She was also supported with creating a CV that she could then share with potential employers.

Petros identified that Queen might be eligible for a grant through Turn2us, a national charity providing support to those suffering from financial hardship. The application was successful: a tearful and grateful Queen received a sum of £750.

Queen attended our offices to apply for vacancies, but not yet being able to read and write made the process extremely difficult. Petros therefore decided the best use of his time was to personally walk around the local neighbourhood and talk to potential employers with Queen. Petros explained Queen’s situation to local employers and agreed to act as her main point of contact should they agree to offer her employment. He also offered to support her with any forms she might have to fill in as part of the application stage.

After visiting a few local employers, Queen and Petros met with local Italian restaurant, L’artigiano. Queen was asked if she could start work that very day, which she did! Queen is now working 20 hours per week in her new role as a Kitchen Porter. She is extremely happy with her new job and the excellent support she received from our Fedcap Scotland team, not least Petros who was prepared to literally go the extra mile to help her. Way to go Petros!

The post Petros goes the extra mile to support Queen, a Fair Start Scotland participant appeared first on Fedcap Employment.