Support for long-term unemployed in Sutherland with grant fund

Highland Council has launched a grant fund to help unemployed residents, who require longer-term, more intensive support, get into work.

Prioritising people with disabilities, long-term heath conditions and people who have been out of work for more than 12 months, the model aims to create the right conditions for a high-performing and high-quality service offer which will work within the unique Highland Council geography.

Chair of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “We have found at times that national models don’t work well in our area due to our large geographic area and rural populations. The aim of the fund is to test an approach which, as well as supporting the progression of out of work residents into employment, will also provide an element of certainty of funding to our local service providers. The learning through this grant fund will be invaluable in shaping our future provision for those who need some longer-term support.”

The Test and Learn grant fund is supported by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The application pack can be obtained by emailing the Employability Service at employability@Highland.gov.uk

Or www.highland.gov.uk/employability

The deadline for applications is September 25.

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