Published on:
08
April 2014
The Council's economic development team has exceeded targets in the activities and work undertaken to help develop Clackmannanshire's economy, a report to the Enterprise and Environment Committee has shown.
Working directly and with partner organisations, the Council has been focussed on bringing investment and jobs to the area and linking these to residents who are unemployed, with Clackmannanshire Works, part of the economic development team, leading a number of programmes to support clients into employment and achieving training and qualifications.
The scale and impact of the team's activities is high, and since the start of the current European Structural Funds programme in mid 2011, Clackmannanshire Works has dealt with 1604 unemployed clients with 417 of these finding employment, 410 achieving qualifications or training and 263 enterprises supported.
A number of different programmes have also been producing results, including Community Benefits clauses as part of the Council contracting process. Five contractors have supported 37 work experience placements, 10 apprentice starts and 25 other jobs.
The Clackmannanshire Apprenticeship Initiative is a partnership between the Council and Skills Development Scotland which is fully committed with 35 places allocated. For many businesses this is the first time they have taken on a Modern Apprentice, and a wide range of opportunities have been supported including motor vehicle, childcare, carpentry and administrative jobs
The Council was successful in bidding for funds as part of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund, and all 50 places available have been taken up, with jobs in sectors including hospitality, manufacturing and construction.
Following a successful bid to deliver 26 Modern Apprenticeships as part of a Skills Development Scotland contract, clients have been employed by the Council and local businesses.
Other programmes including the Clackmannanshire Forth Coastal Project and the Ochils Landscape Partnership have also helped to provide training and employment opportunities.
Enterprise Convener Donald Balsillie commented: "Given the downturn in the economy and pressures on public sector funding, it is very satisfying to see the positive impact that the Council's economic development work is having for people in Clackmannanshire.
"We have been working closely with partners, including local businesses, and the breadth of training and support available to clients is impressive, with the team focussed on removing any barriers that might exist to help get local people into jobs. We recognise that continued work is needed to develop the programmes, and we will continue to do all we can to develop Clackmannanshire's economy."