Employability Support Available Across West Dunbartonshire
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:
- 537 residents who successfully entered employment,
- 367 residents supported through apprenticeships and in work upskilling
- 1,178 residents who accessed education and training, and
- 1,021 residents who achieved a qualification
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 | Age | Programme |
|---|---|---|
Enable Works |
All |
Specialist employability provision that supports people with a disability or long-term health condition. |
Hub International |
All |
6 week hospitality employability programme providing industry recognised qualifications and work placements within the hospitality sector. |
SAMH |
All |
Step Up Model: Supports individuals with mental health issues in developing skills and progressing towards employment, with personalized plans. |
Street League |
16-29 |
Programme for young people who are not in education, employment or training to improve their health and fitness, confidence and mental wellbeing whilst working on personal development goals and employability skills. |
Tell |
16-29 |
Support for vulnerable young people to develop communication, digital, employability and life skills. Participants will also be supported to get work experience in a placement with an employer and prepare you for Modern Apprenticeship opportunities. |
Tell  |
16-29 |
Programme for young people offering support to those interested in applying for an engineering modern apprenticeship. Participants will be taken through aptitude testing and interview techniques. You will also get to meet with modern apprenticeship employers and participate in a work placement with an engineering company |
The Lennox Partnership - Community Justice |
All |
Community Justice Programme providing support to individuals with experience in the Community Justice System on their journey towards sustainable employment. |
The Lennox Partnership- Parent Group |
All |
Support for parents, the Parent Group will support parents to find sustainable employment or improve their employment situation whilst employed. Support will cover key areas like Household management, life administration, planning, being a role model and providing essentials for children on a budget. This is combined with sessions which will prepare parents and carers for future progress. |
The Lennox Partnership - Supporting Adults Towards Employment |
All |
Supporting Adults Towards Employment (SATE): Targets individuals with health or disability barriers, especially those transitioning from other support programs.Supporting Adults Towards Employment (SATE) supports people who are long term unemployed/inactive who have significant barriers in terms of health or disability to access health and wellbeing support delivered in tandem with employability support. |
Tullochan - |
All |
Supporting parents in overcoming barriers, enhancing employability skills, and fostering aspirations towards sustainable employment. |
| Tullochan - |
16-29 |
Supports vulnerable young people in overcoming barriers, enhancing employability skills, and fostering aspirations towards sustainable employment. |
The Phoenix -  |
All |
Health & Wellbeing programme based in The Phoenix Centre offering support with confidence building, employability skills, volunteer placements and qualifications. |
West College Scotland -  |
All |
Care course aimed at equipping local unemployed people with entry level care skills and work experience to help them enter and thrive in the local care jobs. |
West College Scotland -  |
All |
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) employability course delivered by WCS at SCQF Level 3 offers innovative and effective English-speaking courses designed for refugees, asylum seekers, and minority groups to help them access and sustain employment. |
|
Verg -
 |
All |
The training programme will provide unemployed participants with the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to excel in job roles within the Forestry sector. Participants will learn theoretical and environmental knowledge, safety procedures and practical skills and access to a work placement. |
| Projects below will have own referrals | Age | Programme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sport Scotland - |
16-29 | Programme to support those at risk of not achieving a positive destination (Active Schools will identify participants). |
Alternatives -  |
All | Creative pathway into employment, which includes additional support and recognises individual recovery needs (Alternatives will identify participants). |
I Was Gonnae -  |
16-29 | I Was Gonnae support the delivery of Project Search (Project Search will identify participants). |
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!