New grant for supporters of unemployed residents

The Highland Council has launched a 'Test and Learn' grant fund in order to test a new delivery model for service providers supporting unemployed residents.

 

Run by the council's employability service and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the grant will prioritise people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and those who have been out of work for over 12 months.

 

Chair of the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said that national models were not working well in the Highlands' large and rural population.

 

He said: “The aim of the fund is to test an approach which, as well as supporting the progression of out of work residents into employment, will also provide an element of certainly of funding to our local service providers.

 

"The learning through this grant fund will be invaluable in shaping our future provision for those who need some longer-term support.”

 

An application pack for providers working with unemployed residents can be obtained by emailing the employability service at employability@Highland.gov.uk . The deadline for applications is Monday 25 September 25.