PACE in Dunbartonshire Chris Thomas Partnership Development Manager Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire.

PACE in DunbartonshirePACE in Dunbartonshire

Chris Thomas

Partnership Development Manager

Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire

Dunbartonshire In Context

Diverse area• 3 Councils• GDP 32% behind Scottish average

Population : 233,000 (4.5% of Scotland) Declining & Ageing Population

• -3% over next 10 years Unemployment SED: 5.6% Unemployment Scotland: 4.5% Unemployment in West Dunbartonshire:

10.2% (Highest Male rate: 13.8%) 5000 Businesses 97% of businesses employ less than 50

people

PACE In Dunbartonshire

37 cases since 2000 4000+ jobs Previous significant losses

J&B (850 jobs) Kvaerner (300+ jobs) UIE/GE (300+ jobs) Lennox Castle (500+ jobs)

Local Response Team

Existing Partnership Forum SED Councils x 3 Jobcentre Plus Careers Scotland FE Colleges x 2 SIP Enterprise Trust

Case Teams recruited as appropriate

Support Activities

Resource Centres Vacancies Internet CV prep Postage

Information Pack 1-1 support

Guidance Training Benefits Counselling

Training Sessions Individual support

A users perspective

Process

Equifax Senior Management confirmed redundancies Contacted SED Group Sessions Further Group Sessions/One to one interviews Staff move onto Training/Job Opportunities

Benefits

From the staff point of view Access to information on benefits, career, training, etc. Allowed staff access to funded training/supported

employment Guidance from Careers Advisors and Business Advisors Helped staff have a more positive outlook

Benefits

From the company point of view Single point of contact Helped us maintain operations Connected staff with other opportunities Allowed Equifax to be seen as a ‘responsible employer’

Benefits

From my point of view Satisfaction Learned useful information ‘Liked it so much, I bought the company…’

Caseload 2002/03

17 Cases 9 Closures Over 1,000 Jobs Variable employer engagement Benefits of PACE service

50% supported into employment/training new businesses created

Critical Success Factors

Early Warning Company Support Partner Support

do not overload trust & relationships

Quick Wins Flexibility Tracking & Follow up

Further Developments

New Partners Business Gateway 3rd Sector

New Focus on Employee Development Part of prevention Increasing awareness/adaptability of workers

PART Turning PACE on it’s head