A fund designed to remove barriers to employment in Shetland has been launched again this year with local organisations from public, third or private sector invited to apply within the next four weeks
The scheme has been set up through the Shetland Employability Partnership and is part of approximately £400,000 received from Scottish Government's ‘No One Left Behind’ – the national initiative to help support people into work, including training, education and volunteering.
Organisations can apply if they provide activity during this 2026/27 financial year that includes one or more of the following:
- 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.
The partnership encourages applicants to be realistic in scope, and to focus on clear outcomes and demonstrating strong value for money.
Grant-related activity can already have started (from 1st April 2026) and organisations can apply for funding by 4pm on Monday 8th June 2026. 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, Skills Development Scotland, Voluntary Action Shetland, DYW Shetland and the Scottish Government.
Tommy Coutts, Executive Manager – Economic Development, Shetland Islands Council, who Chairs the Local Employability Partnership, said; “I’d urge any local organisations who employ folk in any capacity or who are in the business of removing barriers to employment to look at whether they could benefit from this funding. We want to make sure that everyone in Shetland has a chance to access opportunities for work, whatever their circumstances.”
For more information or a copy of the application form, please contact employability@shetland.gov.uk or call 01595 744490