Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal April 2005 Volume 3 (2)

Social inclusion

A fresh start to work

Already proactive in providing open learning services, Charlie Bennett describes a new initiative by North Lanarkshire libraries to improve the employability of residents in areas with high unemployment and social problems.

North Lanarkshire Council Libraries and Information Service has a track record of innovation and development of open learning services.

Our open learning service supports three important elements of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2004-2008 in the areas of promoting social inclusion and boosting the local economy. These are:

• Stimulating business and the local economy by up-skilling the community in ICT subjects and therefore reducing local skills gaps;
• Promoting social inclusion by providing lifelong learning services free of charge and removing obstacles to learning by providing these services over the internet through interactive digital television, and hopefully soon through portable devices such as PDAs and mobile phones;
• Encouraging lifelong learning through our network of five open learning centres, and our award winning e-learning website at www.logintolearn.com.

To further develop our open learning service we have secured funding from Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and the European Social Fund to lead an exciting new project that will provide a focus for increasing employability in the Motherwell North, Bellshill, and Viewpark areas. Like many such areas these three communities are blighted by a range of social problems including high unemployment, a low average wage, bad health, and poor literacy and numeracy skills.

Increasingly jobs require a minimum of IT standards, and as a result IT skills are an important route back to work. However, in North Lanarkshire, Labour Market Information Reports indicate 32% of businesses in North Lanarkshire cite a skills gap in basic computer literacy and using IT against a West of Scotland average of 26%.

The aims of the Fresh Start Project are to increase the employability of residents in the three areas by providing vocational training in basic computing and other IT applications - word-processing, databases, spreadsheets, Internet and email - from the libraries serving them. The project will provide guidance, support, and tuition to ensure beneficiaries achieve qualifications such as the European Computer Driving licence to improve their employability. The project will support activity which addresses exclusion faced by individuals, through the provision of an integrated package of guidance, training and support measures tailored specifically to the needs of the individual.

A major partner in the project is Routes to Work which seeks to assist residents of North Lanarkshire to access opportunities in education, training and employment by providing advice, information, guidance and practical support and development to enhance their employment opportunities. Routes to Work is also North Lanarkshire’s employer intermediary resource. It offers a free service to aid the growth and development of people and businesses in the authority by screening candidates and matching them against suitable vacancies; offering employers the opportunity to input to training; and signposting employers to advice and information on funding they can access.

By accessing the Fresh Start project beneficiaries will not only have access to vocational training but they will have access to a wide range of confidential advice and support from Routes to Work including:

• Individual, confidential support
• Advice on training & education opportunities and how to access them
• Access to job vacancies and job matching through our employer liaison staff
• Job search assistance
• Training grant assistance
• Help with application forms
• Help with CV preparation
• Assistance with interview techniques
• Ongoing support during training and after starting employment
• Links to work experience opportunities and other services
• Access to learning materials

A team of 2.5 outreach workers will deliver learning support to ensure that learners will achieve the European Computer Driving Licence. This support will be delivered from Motherwell Library, Bellshill Cultural Centre, Viewpark Library, and the Aquatec, a major sports facility situated in Central Motherwell. The Aquatec has been chosen as a venue for the Project because many of our target beneficiaries make use of its facilities free through the North Lanarkshire Council Passport to Leisure scheme.

Project outcomes

It is envisaged that the Project will benefit 125 individuals by improving their ICT skills, and providing careers advice and support and help with career choices and changes. Support will also be provided in applying for jobs and training, or starting a business. The aim is that 85% of beneficiaries will achieve accreditation.

Information Scotland Vol. 3 (2) April 2005

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