Parental Employability Support Fund

16 March 2022 at 11:33:57

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar can offer training, funding, and childcare support to parents in the Western Isles through the Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF).

Support to boost skills and qualification levels is available to employed and unemployed parents with the aim of increasing a parent's earning potential.

PESF is part of the Scottish Government's child poverty response and offers support to parents who meet any of the following criteria:

• Lone Parents
• Parents with disabilities
• Young parents aged 25 years and less
• Minority ethnic families
• Families with a disabled child
• Families with 3 or more children
• Families where the youngest child is under 1 year

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar can provide job preparation support with CV building, job applications and mock interviews; skill boosting through accredited qualifications, vocational training and the arrangement of work experience placements; one to one mentoring and support on budgeting.

Dolina Smith, Employability Services Manager said: "The Parental Employability Support Fund delivers direct support to individuals in the Western Isles to address issues of child poverty, unemployment, under employment and economic skills shortages.

"I would encourage any parent who meets the stated criteria, regardless of current employment status to contact the employability team and arrange an initial discussion."

For more info on drop-in sessions and how you can get support please email karen.afrin@cne-siar.gov.uk