WDC Employability Grants Programme 2026/27

1.      Families facing poverty - Parents/kinship carers including those affected by in-work poverty.

25.6% of children in West Dunbartonshire are living in poverty.

A key focus of our parental employment work is to reach those parents more likely to be impacted by poverty:

• Single parents
• Families impacted by disability
• Parents under 25           
• Parents with children under 1  
• Parents with 3 or more children
• Ethnic minority parents
• Experience of the care system

W4U have a key worker presence in all local high schools, provision commissioned will enhance the key worker model.

Stages 1-5

1.1 Programmes supporting parents into employment

1.2 Programmes supporting employed Parents to upskill and increase income through work.

2.      Vocational Activity - residents requiring vocational skills and work experience to progress into employment

The LEP recognises the need to provide vocational skills training in sectors where there are likely to be vacancies over the coming year.

The aspiration of the SEG is to support those gaining vocational skills to progress into related and sustainable work opportunities in West Dunbartonshire, or within other travel to work areas.

We have an all age offer in Working4U with people requesting vocational training. (Working4U has the ability to offer vocational training in customer care and social care). Some of this can be met through accessing training on an individual basis however we require a wide range of relevant vocational courses for groups of clients to meet client and employer needs. 

This support should offer progressions for residents participating in wellbeing and personal development programmes.

Stages 3/4

2.1 Delivery of vocational skills programmes/sector-based work academies, which are linked to local employers and evidenced work opportunities.

Programmes must include a minimum of 2 weeks work experience and guaranteed interviews.

We need to ensure our provision meets the specific needs of our priority groups who may benefit from a more targeted and bespoke programme, in particular:

Parents – who need training provision and jobs with school /parent friendly hours and conditions.

People with disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions

Vulnerable Young people who require vocational programmes adapted to meet their specific needs and job opportunities including apprenticeships.

3.      Community Justice –

Justice System experienced residents

In Scotland, approximately 1 in 3 men and 1 in 10 women of working age have a criminal conviction.  Engaging with the community justice experienced population is recognised as particularly challenging.  Grant applicants are encouraged to clearly identify how they will do this. 

Stages

 1-5

3.1 Specialist support for people with experience of the Community Justice system which are impacting on access to employers/jobs. Working closely with Social Work colleagues to identify clients who will benefit from employability support across the justice process.

Evidence suggests that access to specialist support and guidance to justice experienced residents and potential employers in relation to convictions and access to appropriate work experience placements will be a key aspect of delivery.