West Dunbartonshire Council’s Working4U Service is at the forefront of supporting residents across West Dunbartonshire in their journey towards employment. With a focus on assisting with benefits, debt issues, education, qualifications, and digital literacy, Working4U aims to empower individuals and communities, helping them improve their skills, financial situations, and overall quality of life.
Our aim is simple:
"To support customers and communities to improve their skills, learning, and financial situations, assisting them on their journey into work and protecting the rights of our citizens."
Working4U adopts a key worker approach, providing personalised, one-on-one support to help residents achieve their goals. Key workers also assist families in need, helping them maximize income from employment and reduce living expenses. This support is complemented by our dedicated training team and commissioned training providers, offering personal development opportunities, accredited and vocational qualifications. Together, this holistic support structure ensures that residents are well-equipped with the skills and experience necessary for learning, life, and work. In the 2024/25 period, Working4U successfully supported 1,322 residents to access skills and employment opportunities. This included:
The West Dunbartonshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) works with local groups to make sure employability services meet the needs of our residents. Together, we find local priorities and create solutions based on what our community needs. The LEP is committed to supporting people into fair, sustainable jobs, and contributing to the growth of the local economy in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
One of the LEP's key initiatives is the West Dunbartonshire Employability Grant Programme. This programme is designed to support unemployed residents move towards and into work. It also supports those in low-paid employment to progress in their careers. The programme is managed by Working4U who provide specialist employability support along side a range of third sector and private sector employability service providers operating in West Dunbartonshire. Specialised support includes provision for vulnerable young people, parents, individuals with disabilities, justice-experienced individuals, low-skilled, and residents aged over 50.
The Employability Grant Programme is delivered by Working4U and a range of local partners, each offering tailored support to residents. The partnership includes:
| Provider | Programme |
|---|---|
Alternatives – Rise Project |
Creative pathway into employment, which includes additional support and recognises individual recovery needs (Alternatives will identify participants) |
Enable Works |
Supported Employment services for residents aged 16-67 with disabilities or health conditions, following a multi-stage model for individualised support. |
Glasgow Training Group (GTG) |
Introduction to Mechanics: Offers taster sessions in the mechanics industry, leading to industry-recognized certifications (IMI Award, SCQF Level 3, IMI Level 1 Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Safety Awareness). |
Impact Arts |
Impactful Parents West Dunbartonshire: A 12-week programme for unemployed or economically inactive parents, combining creative activities to enhance well-being and employability skills. |
|
I Was Gonnae |
A music project for parents focusing on employability skills through songwriting, recording, and production, led by professional musicians. |
Prince's Trust |
Youth Employability Programme for unemployed/inactive young people aged 16-30, focusing on skills development for positive destinations. |
Routes To Work |
"Opening Doors" service: Place-based support for unemployed, economically inactive, or insecurely employed individuals in Whitecrook and surrounding areas. |
Routes To Work – Parents |
As above, with a focus on parents. |
SAMH |
Step Up Model: Supports individuals with mental health issues in developing skills and progressing towards employment, with personalized plans. |
Street League |
Academy programmes for vulnerable young people aged 16-24 who are not in employment or education, focusing on physical, mental, and employability skills. |
Street League (Phase 2) |
Job clubs twice per week at GOALS, Great Western Road, supporting vulnerable young people aged 16-29 to move directly into work. |
Tell |
Pathways: Tailored learning and training programs for clients with complex needs, aiming to improve qualifications and employability. |
Tell – Employment Hub |
Work-focused support to move participants into employment - Dumbarton. |
The Lennox Partnership - Community Justice |
Community Justice Programme: Targets individuals with experience in the Community Justice system. |
The Lennox Partnership- Family Support Initiative |
Provides targeted support to parents facing poverty, assisting them towards sustainable employment or vocational training. |
The Lennox Partnership - Supporting Adults Towards Employment |
Supporting Adults Towards Employment (SATE): Targets individuals with health or disability barriers, especially those transitioning from other support programs. |
The Lennox Partnership Employment Hub |
Work-focused support to move participants into employment - Clydebank. |
Tullochan - Positive Pathways Project |
Supports vulnerable young people, long-term unemployed, and parents in overcoming barriers, enhancing employability skills, and fostering aspirations towards sustainable employment. |
West College Scotland - ESOL (Employability) |
The ESOL for Employability Programme aims to enhance English language skills for recently arrived Refugees and Asylum Seekers in West Dunbartonshire, enabling them to effectively communicate in work settings and pursue employment opportunities. |
West College Scotland - New Entrepreneurs |
Introductory Enterprise programme specifically targeting unemployed parents to equip them with the knowledge, skills and most importantly the confidence to explore self-employment as a route for them. |
Work Connect |
Targeting residents with a disability/mental health issue integrates horticulture, catering, and client-led activities aimed at enhancing everyday work skills such as confidence, digital literacy, teamwork, and planning. Partnering with West Dunbartonshire Greenspace and Archaeology Scotland, the initiative includes Heritage Hero Awards to explore local history and community projects, raising confidence and skills development. |
Working4U – Key Worker Support |
Key Worker Support provides a tailored action plan, personalised guidance, resources, and mentorship to help clients overcome barriers, enhance their skills and qualifications, and achieve sustainable employment. |
Working4U – Family opportunity Hub |
Supporting families to access training in literacy, numeracy, and skills, enhancing financial capability and employability, and community contribution. |
| Working4U – Ready to Thrive |
Supports young people taking their first steps into employment by focusing on personal development, learning new skills and gaining confidence through 1:1 support. Open to any young person aged between 16 and 24 who not in employment or education. |
| Working4U – Thrive |
Supports young people taking their first steps into employment by focusing on personal development, learning new skills and gaining confidence through group work and 1:1 support. Open to any young person aged between 16 and 24 who not in employment or education. |
| Working4U – Training programme |
Providing personal development and vocational training such as food hygiene, CSCS construction training, emergency first aid, customer service, retail, hospitality and care academies, Steps to Excellence and licensing qualifications. The Volunteer programme supports 16 -67-year-olds in volunteer placements to suit their interests and needs. |
Working4U – Apprenticeship Team |
Supports young people and adults through Modern Apprenticeships – work-based learning within West Dunbartonshire Council and private business. and are delivered in vocational areas such as construction, business skills, social services, children and young people, and healthcare. |
To find out more please fill out the W4U referral form, select Work and detail which opportunity you would like to hear more about.
Togetherall is a free digital mental health platform, to provide all residents aged 16+ with round-the-clock access to trained clinicians. West Dunbartonshire residents can benefit from this safe, online community to share experiences, connect with others, and access practical mental health resources.
Togetherall is accessible 24/7 on any internet-enabled device, offering tools and support to help you manage your emotional well-being. With professional moderation and crisis intervention, the service ensures immediate support and provides a comprehensive wellness hub for self-management.
To learn more visit www.Togetherall.com - select check if you’re eligible and input your post code. Its confidential and free!
