Get help to work towards a new career with Skills Development Scotland

PEOPLE seeking work can find out about jobs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic using a new online service.

The service has been developed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in partnership with a range of industry bodies,  and includes information on  immediately available vacancies.

The My World of Work Job Hub connects employers directly involved in the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic with individuals actively seeking work at this challenging time.

Employers can promote their vacancies free of charge to tens of thousands of people visiting My World of Work, the national online careers resource.

Immediate job opportunities are available in healthcare, food and grocery retail, social care, childcare, delivery and distribution, food manufacturing and production. 
Website users can also access additional support including CV tools, skills builders and other career information and advice.

SDS’s Director of Industry and Enterprise Networks Gordon McGuinness said: “SDS has worked rapidly to develop the My World of Work Job Hub in response to requests from a range of industry partners who are highlighting skills gaps in their businesses at this critical time.

“It gives people immediate access to job vacancies that employers need filled right now.”

SDS’s Director of Industry and Enterprise Networks Gordon McGuinness

Minister for Business Jamie Hepburn said: “This will be a vital service for those who have lost their jobs as a result of the current crisis, and also to help those employers that are facing high and immediate recruitment surges. It includes areas of critical importance to the economy, including health boards, food and drink production, retail and other sectors. 

“To have a site which brings employer vacancies together with a broad audience through Scotland’s dedicated careers resource is a very welcome step.”
Lucy Husband, UK Market Development Director for Scotland Food & Drink said: “From farm to sea, shelf to plate, the Scottish food and drink sector is being hit hard as the effects of Coronavirus unfold.

“It’s a critical time particularly for farmers who are facing a huge shortage of vital seasonal workers. At the same time foodservice and catering businesses are having to let people go as their normal routes to market shut.

“Having a resource like Job Hub means we can help match those who find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly out of work with those crying out for immediate, temporary people. Ultimately it will help keep our industry providing the food and drink consumers’ need.”

The Job Hub complements the existing career information, advice and guidance service delivered by SDS. Like many other organisations, the national skills agency has changed how it’s delivering services in response to public health advice. However SDS advisers are still on hand to support customers at this critical time.

One-to-one contact with careers advisers is available online and over the phone, including live chat via Scotland’s online service My World of Work. Information, advice and guidance covers a broad range of support including redundancy, leaving school, and getting into work.

Advisers will work with you to personalise the support based on your needs helping you make informed decisions about now and for the future.

James Russell, SDS Director of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations, said: “The relationships we have with our customers are unique, and our absolute priority is to maintain those relationships and continue to provide the world-class career service they and our partners have come to expect.

“We work with customers to develop their career management skills, skills that are valuable in managing uncertainty and improving your wellbeing, as well as preparing to make complex decisions and face challenges throughout your career. There is no doubt that those skills will become increasingly important as we move through the coming days and weeks.

“I would urge anyone who needs support to please get in touch with our dedicated team and to use My World of Work’s tools, information and advice.”
Support for school pupils also continues, with careers advisers maintaining regular contact, especially with those most in need of support in the senior phase. They can also be contacted directly by pupils and their parents and carers via their local centre. 

James added: “Our advisers are keeping in close contact with pupils to maintain our relationships and provide ongoing support. They will be available to talk over options and work through new information and updates with pupils as and when it’s available.”

•  Search for vacancies at myworldofwork.co.uk/jobhub or upload your own vacancies at ourskillsforce.co.uk/jobhub. To speak to an adviser, find details of your local SDS team at myworldofwork.co.uk/centres

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Facing redundancy? Then get on the PACE

FOR anyone facing redundancy, support is available through the Scottish Government’s initiative for responding to redundancy situations.

Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) offers a broad range of support to help people identify their next steps.

Having worked for the same employer for 23 years, Audrey Lawson was in need of help when she was made redundant.

FRESH CHALLENGE: Audrey Lawson lost her job at OKI after 23 years, but with support from PACE has found a new career in the care industry

The 49-year-old from Airdrie worked for OKI in Cumbernauld when the firm announced plans to shut the site in 2018.

“We didn’t see it coming,” Audrey said. “People had been paid off periodically and we’d moved factories twice and downsized, but we didn’t think we would close.

“We had seen other companies like Motorola come and go but it was a bit of a shock to learn that we were all going. It came out of the blue so there was disbelief at first. You couldn’t believe that after working somewhere for 23 years, you weren’t going to work there any more. It was daunting.”

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) leads on the delivery of PACE support in conjunction with a number of partners including JobCentre Plus, local authorities, and Citizens Advice Scotland. Audrey said: “We all wanted to be as prepared as possible, and we received the Positive Steps book which contained a lot of information.”

Audrey received additional support from SDS careers adviser Glenn Manchip.

She said: “Writing a CV is very different to the way it was the last time I did it 23 years ago, but Glenn was fantastic. He helped me with the language I was using and the best ways in which to get my message across. Getting that service from PACE was vital. The help around preparing for an interview and how to overcome nerves was helpful.”

After receiving support Audrey went on to secure a post with care provider Cornerstone.

She said: “I’ve got experience as a carer for my mother-in-law who lives with us. In the care sector you’ve got the opportunity to build your own hours which suits me and Cornerstone have been very helpful in that respect.”

Having experienced redundancy, Audrey is keen to recommend to others facing the same thing to make use of the PACE redundancy service. 

She’s one of a number of PACE users to feature in a new marketing campaign encouraging people facing redundancy to access support. 

She said: “There’s no doubt that the support from PACE has been important in me getting a new job. I’d definitely recommend to other people facing redundancy that they make use of PACE. The help that is available is invaluable.

“I’ve never been out of work in my whole life and that’s why I’m excited about having this opportunity. 

“After 23 years in one job it’s been great to have a fresh challenge. It came at just the right time and it’s been really exciting.”

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