A new grant scheme is being launched to help people experiencing barriers whilst entering or progressing in the labour market.
The funding for this scheme is part of £456,000 received from Scottish Government's ‘No One Left Behind’ – the national initiative to help support people into work, including training, education and volunteering.
The scheme is open and is looking for applications from public, third or private sector organisations supporting any activity that includes:
- All Age Employability Services – supporting individuals to access and progress in employment, and one-to-one job search support, or facilitating work placements and traineeships.
- Business Development – engaging with the local employability partnership, enhance awareness of wider employability agenda, providing guidance on Supported Employment, and collaborating with local employers and stakeholders.
- Tackling Child Poverty – supporting parents, including those in the six main priority groups set out in the Best Start bright Futures Delivery Plan.
- Specialist Employability Support – supporting those with long-term and enduring health conditions or disabilities into employment by delivering Supported or specialist employment, or Project Search.
Grant-related activity may already have started (from 1st April 2025) and organisations can apply for funding by 4pm on Friday 26th September 2025. Applicants will be told within 21 days from that date if they have been successful.
The scheme is run by the Shetland Local Employability Partnership (SLEP) led by Shetland Islands Council and including local and national partners – NHS Shetland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Voluntary Action Shetland, DYW Shetland and the Scottish Government.
For more information or a copy of the application, please contact employability@shetland.gov.uk or call 01595 744490
Tommy Coutts, Executive Manager – Economic Development, Shetland Islands Council, and Chair of the Local Employability Partnership, said; “I’d urge any local organisations who employ folk in any capacity to look at whether they could benefit from this employability funding. We want to make sure that everyone in Shetland has a chance to access opportunities for work, whatever their circumstances.”
More details of the Scottish Government’s “No One Left Behind” initiative can be found at www.employabilityinscotland.com/employability-services/no-one-left-behind/