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West Dunbartonshire Project SEARCH

Applications are now open for Project Search

West Dunbartonshire Project SEARCH provides employment and learning opportunities for young people with autism or learning disability.

It is a partnership between 

  • West Dunbartonshire Council

  • Employability Training Providers

  • Local Businesses

to enable young adults who have a learning disability or autism spectrum condition to secure meaningful permanent employment.

To find out the impact this could have on your life, listen to Alex's story:

 

 

For further information on what Project Search is about, please visit Home | DFN Project SEARCH

 

·     You'll develop your employability skills at West Dunbartonshire Council in a classroom setting, in subjects such as: 

  • Team building 
  • Workplace safety 
  • Technology
  • Maintaining employment 
  • Self-advocacy 
  • Financial literacy
  • Health and wellness
  •  Preparing for employment.

You'll also participate in three, 10 week work placement rotations in a variety of job roles within West Dunbartonshire Council and local partners. Work placements may include catering, facilities, administration, ICT and environmental roles. 

The experience and skills that you gain from both classroom-based activities and the work placements will improve your job marketability. 

You will be supported throughout the course by an Employability Tutor, a Job Coach and Council staff. 

To ensure your learning is tailored to suit your own needs and employment goals, you will develop a Personal Learning and Support Plan which will help you identify your strengths and areas of development and help determine the type of job you are good at. 

The course will run from September to June, five days a week, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm. 

You must

  • be between 16 and 29 years old
  • want to secure a full-time job (16+ hours)
  • live within West Dunbartonshire
  • have autism or a learning disability
  • You can provide evidence of your ability to work at SCQF Level 3 (Access 3) in all subject areas 
  • You are an independent traveller or have your own travel arrangements
  • You can demonstrate your ability to work independently and with others
  • You can provide evidence of excellent timekeeping and attendance
  • You can attend five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 3.30pm, and be on time every morning 
  • You can provide a satisfactory reference 
  • You are willing to share personal information with all Project Search partners if required 
  • be able to travel alone or learn how to do this by the start of the programme.

Apply

To apply for DFN Project SEARCH, please complete our application form

Send this application form to Working4U at projectsearch@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Or send by post to 

Project Search, Working4U, WDC Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL

Closing Date

Make sure we have your application by Wednesday 6th August 2025.

If you have any questions please contact projectsearch@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 

We will invite you to a Recruitment Day which will involve further information on Project Search, an interview and activity tasks to determine programme suitability.

This Recruitment Day will take place on Thursday 14th August 2025 at West Dunbartonshire Council Offices in Dumbarton. We will email you the details to attend once your application has been assessed.

Want to know more about Project Search and the Recruitment Day? Attend our online information session on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Email projectsearch@west-dunbarton.gov.uk for the MS Teams link.