Published on:
02
August 2023
Participants on the Council’s employability programmes have saved themselves £60,000 in just three months after being referred to a dedicated money advice service.
The money advice service, delivered on behalf of the Council by the local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), is a fundamental part of employability support offered by Clackmannanshire Works, and aims to encourage participants to better manage their money and to remove any financial barriers to entering the job market.
The one-to-one support provided by CAB has helped participants to manage debt, maximise their income by ensuring they are accessing any benefits they are entitled to, receive better off in work calculations to ensure they understand the financial implications of starting a job and to better manage their personal finances.
In the past 12 months, Clackmannanshire Works has supported over 600 people and around half of them have benefited from a referral to the money advice service, with more than £60,000 saved since April.
Clackmannanshire Works participants are aged between 16 and 67.
They include school leavers looking for work experience or apprenticeships, unemployed adults of working age who need support to overcome a range of barriers to employment, and parents who need to increase their income either through supporting them into work or increasing their wages and/or hours.
Council leader, Councillor Ellen Forson said: “It is wonderful to hear this partnership between Clackmannanshire Works and CAB has been so beneficial to people in our communities, especially to those who have been previously disadvantaged in the labour market.
“As a Council we are committed to unlocking the potential of all our people and supporting them on their journey to a better and brighter future.
“Clackmannanshire Works’ key workers and our partners at CAB are working hard together to ensure the best possible outcomes for participants and I hope this partnership approach will continue to be constructive and fruitful.”