Grant scheme aimed at tackling employability barriers

An exciting opportunity has arisen thanks to the Orkney Local Employability Partnership (OLEP) delivery of a one-off grant scheme aimed at further tackling employability barriers.

The Innovation Challenge Fund of up to £2,000 is open to Third Sector organisations delivering employability services to folk in the county – as part of Scottish Government funding in support of No One Left Behind.

The Council will be delivering the grant, which can be used for innovation within existing projects, on behalf of the Local Employability Partnership.

Lindsey Johnson is the Council’s Community Learning and Development Employability Team Manager. She explained: “This one-off fund will run in financial year 2022/23 with the aim of seeking innovative approaches by Third Sector organisations locally to support people experiencing particular challenges which prevent them from progressing towards and within employment.

“The aim is to provide short-term investment in new, innovative or additional ways of working which will have a long-term positive impact on the delivery of employability services in Orkney. In particular enabling engagement with priority groups including those with a disability or long-term health condition, people with protected characteristics, who are experiencing inequality, care experienced young people (16+) and working parents seeking to up-skill and develop a career path.”

Projects that would fit the criteria are those that:

• provide short term work that adds value to existing projects which increase individuals’ training/employment prospects;
• pilot a new approach in a particular area or for a particular client group; 
• undertake feasibility/ planning work for further development.

Funding is available until March 2023 and can be used for projects that will be completed by 31 March 2024.

Further guidance and the application form to apply is available here: Innovation Fund (orkney.gov.uk)

Application forms and supporting documents must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 24 February 2023 to employability.support@orkney.gov.uk.

If you have any queries or would like more information, email employability.support@orkney.gov.uk.