EMPLOYABILITY experts StartScotland will deliver the Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland service to help unemployed people find work. StartScotland, a partnership between The Lennox Partnership and Working Links, will deliver the new service in the East and Southwest of the country from April 2018. Fair Start Scotland is an entirely voluntary service aimed at helping unemployed people, including those with complex issues, who want to work find suitable, sustainable jobs through tailored support.

StartScotland, along with its partners, will be delivering in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, West Lothian, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. Individuals receiving support from StartScotland will benefit from an innovative, holistic assessment designed to identify skills needs as well as having a dedicated key worker to support them through their own journey.

StartScotland will be working with a range of partner organisations, including those in the voluntary sector, to deliver the service. This, alongside an enhanced digital engagement model, means customers will be able to access a full service, wherever and whenever they require it. Nobody in the delivery areas will have to travel more than 30 minutes to access StartScotland’s support.

The Lennox Partnership and Working Links boast more than 40 years’ collective experience delivering employability programmes, and together currently deliver the Scottish Government’s Work Able Scotland programme.

Blyth Deans, Director at StartScotland, said: “We are thrilled to deliver the Scottish Government’s new employment support service, which will provide a tailored and personalised service for all those who seek to return to the workplace. Collectively, we are passionate about delivering excellent front-line public services, addressing challenges faced by those people who need our support and delivering real value for money.”

Brian Bell, Director at StartScotland, said: “We are delighted and excited to have been chosen by the Scottish Government to deliver employability services as part of the new Fair Start Scotland service. This acknowledges our expertise, extensive experience and innovative approach to helping people find suitable, sustainable work and we look forward to the new service starting.”