Published on:
22
May 2023
Clackmannanshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) and Clackmannanshire Business Support Partnership recently hosted their first employability event which was attended by over 30 local employers.
The event was supported by Clackmannanshire Family Wellbeing Partnership as they work with the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland (WEAll Scotland) to strengthen collaboration between employers and the public sector to boost local job opportunities.
The event focused on flexible working and how its implementation can aid recruitment and retention.
Business training and consultancy firm, Flexibility Works, led the session. They highlighted research that showed that 84% of workers in Scotland want or have flexible working. They also outlined how flexibility could help tackle unemployment. In a recent survey, 75% of people out of work in Scotland say that flexible working would help them back into the workplace.
Attendees then heard from local employers Diageo, Scottish Autism and Ceteris who gave details of their experiences implementing flexible working.
Jordan Lyell, talent engagement manager at Diageo explained how flexible working supports the company’s diversity and inclusion mission, Katherine Wainwright, director of people and culture at Scottish Autism, outlined how the charity is currently changing its approach to flexible working for front-line staff and Joellen Peebles, training co-ordinator at Ceteris, shared her experience of switching to working from home during the pandemic, and how it led her to increase her hours to become a full-time employee.
Clackmannanshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) and Clackmannanshire Business Support Partnership were delighted with the turnout from local employers.
Council leader Ellen Forson said: “It was great to see so many local organisations, including some of our major employers, support the first Clackmannanshire Business Support event.
“To have the speakers share their experiences was invaluable to everyone in attendance and we’re really grateful to Diageo, Scottish Autism and Ceteris for their involvement.
“We also gained valuable insight into the other challenges facing Clackmannanshire employers and I know the team is looking forward to running more events to help tackle those issues and benefit our local economy.”
Following the event, WEAll Scotland is asking Clackmannanshire employers to complete a survey to help better understand the skills and support they need.
Responses need to be in by 31 May 2023. You can find the survey at https://bit.ly/3o4k3lS