Clackmannanshire Council Online

Council Supports Local Economy

The work the Council does, directly and in partnership, to actively support local people progress towards work has been praised by councillors.

Report to the Enterprise and Environment Committee highlighted the extent of the challenging economic situation. The committee heard that Clackmannanshire needs more jobs, needs better access to jobs in neighbouring areas and more people working.

While the October monthly claimant count of Job Seeker's Allowance dropped to 1,576 people (or 4.7% of the working age population) - the lowest level since October 2009, Clackmannanshire is still the 9th highest Scottish local authority area of unemployment.

The meeting heard that the economic development team is currently looking to:

• Support 1600 clients to enable them to move towards employment through the Clackmannanshire Works European funded programme (2011-14)
• For 325 of these clients to enter employment (2011-2014)
• For a further 675 participants to gain a training or employment qualification based outcome (2011-14)
• Support 185 enterprises (2011-14)
• Provide employment opportunities for 32 clients through the Clackmannanshire Apprenticeship Initiative (2013-14)
• Provide work experience opportunities for 20 clients through the Youth Employment Scotland fund (2013-14)
• Provide work experience and vocational training opportunities for 25 unemployed residents through our Employability Fund contract with SDS (2013-14)
• Manage 61 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities through our contract with SDS (2013-14)
• Manage up to 20 employment opportunities through the Clackmannanshire Forth Coastal Project (2013-15)
• Deliver 22 projects under the Ochils Landscape Partnership initiative (2011-14)

The Council also works closely with Clackmannanshire Business, which was established in 2007 as the formal body to promote collaboration between the Council and the business community.

The priorities for Clackmannanshire Business are agreed every three years;
the current priorities being:

Marketing / promotion to attract business investment (including the ongoing Imagine Alloa campaign)
Support for the two existing Business Improvement Districts and consideration of further BIDs
Networking and topic based information events
Business surveys / health checks

The Board meet four times a year to discuss activities / progress in respect of
the priorities, but also to discuss any emerging issues of concern.

Committee Convenor Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "Support for job creation and economic development is a priority for this Council, a reflection of our local needs. I am pleased to hear about the numerous actions we are taking to give people better opportunities for training, development and employment, as well as working to attract new businesses to the area."