A group of parents from East Dunbartonshire have benefited from a new employment scheme operated by the Council and funded by the Scottish Government¹ to support low income parents.
Thirteen people from across the area recently took part in the six month Parental Employment Programme (PEP) and almost all have secured permanent/supply list employment.
The Programme offers six months’ work experience, paid at the Living Wage, with trainees also taking part in learning opportunities and being offered benefits and money advice.
Participants worked in a number of areas including Early Years and in schools as Support for Learning trainees.
Local mum Jessica² was among the first group to complete the PEP and has now secured a permanent job as an Early Years Assistant. She is also studying to complete the SVQ3 Social Services (Children and Young People) qualification to become a qualified Early Years Practitioner.
She said, “As a stay-at-home mum for nearly a decade, I felt really daunted by knowing how to get back into work and starting a new profession. I think this programme really fills the gap for people in a similar position to myself.
I’m so glad that I did this role as I have built up so much confidence and felt so encouraged that I had skills to offer that could really help in Early Years specifically, but also just in doing a job in general.
As part of the PEP, Jessica undertook various training courses and qualifications relevant to her role whilst working as an Early Years Worker. She was also supported by her PEP Key Worker to apply for roles and improve her interview skills when her training programme came to an end.
Now, having completed the programme and securing a permanent job, Jessica said, “I honestly feel a new sense of pride in myself that I didn’t have before, so it’s been a real life changing experience for me and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to do it.”
The PEP is one part of a package of employment support opportunities offered by the Council to support low income parents to increase their household income through securing good quality jobs. The Council’s Working for Parents Programme provides a range of employability support to this group.
By joining the Working for Parents programme, participants will be supported to apply for suitable jobs including the Parental Employment Support³ jobs within East Dunbartonshire Council.
Convener of the Council’s Education Committee, Councillor Lynda Williamson, said, “It can be exceptionally challenging returning to work after a period of absence, with potential employers looking for work experience and skills that applicants may not have. The support we offer to parents helps them to gain the necessary experience but also provides support in job seeking, application processes and learning interview techniques.
“We’ve received really positive feedback from previous PEP trainees, like Jessica, who have gone on to find permanent employment and further their education to meet their own personal career goals. I would encourage any parents in East Dunbartonshire who are keen to return to work to get in touch to find out what help and support is available to them. It could be the first step on the ladder to a rewarding future career.”
Any parent can contact the Council for support by emailing: learningandskills@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
The next tranche of the PEP will launch in the coming months with vacancies advertised on the MyJobScotland website. These will be promoted on our social media channels.
Notes
- Funding is from the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind Tacking Child Poverty Grant
- Name has been changed
- For access to these programmes participants must meet some eligibility criteria but by contacting us we can discuss this with you.
