Employment Support Team supports unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds

Employment Support Team supports unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds

The Working For Families Team has recently rebranded as our Employment Support Team, available to provide support to unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds.

The team can support every aspect of getting someone into paid employment, from rebuilding their self-esteem to helping them to hold down their new job, and everything in between.

Based at Thainstone Business Centre near Inverurie, the team receives referrals from colleagues in social work, disabilities and education and is open to any individual who may require support securing paid employment. They work closely with colleagues in the council’s Recruitment Team, with Jobcentre Plus and with external agencies, providing 1:1 support as well as training and guidance to all of their clients across Aberdeenshire.

Employability Coordinator Ewen Allardyce explains: “We can help individuals gain confidence, we provide training on using IT, we can signpost them to additional support based on their unique needs, we can help clients find and prepare for job interviews, we can provide support following job interviews and we’re even there after folk secure a job to provide a helping hand.

“We’ve changed names to reflect the diversity of our clients but the level of service we provide is still the same. We operate 10 job clubs across Aberdeenshire supported by Jobcentre Plus and partner organisations such as NESCU (local credit union). We are keen to make staff across the council aware of what we do so you can help to ensure anyone looking for employment support knows where to come.

“We’re a friendly bunch and we’re keen to support the most vulnerable within our communities. While we can signpost additional help for anyone who needs it, we can continue to work with them to achieve their employability goals.”

The Employability Support Team also leads on a Virtual Hub of different council departments involved in supporting access to employment. They are also part of the local area’s wider Employability Partnership and support various wider strategic outcomes such as Developing Young Workforce.

For more information, email ewen.allardyce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk The Employability Support Team can also be contacted by calling 01467 629278 or emailing employmentsupportteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk