Partnership Working for the City

Dundee partners supporting local people to get into or progress in work are pledging to redouble their efforts, as an event is staged to bolster the efforts of local agencies.   

Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur joined Discover Work’s Annual Conference to hear updates on employability developments in the city.   

Participants shared their experiences and helped shape priorities of the Discover Work Partnership to improve collective performance.   

The latest annual report from the partnership highlighted that sector-based work academies are playing a growing role in helping people into work.   

Meanwhile, a new approach for young people - A Step Change on Positive Destinations for Young Dundonians - has been launched.   

The latest Skills Development Scotland data showed that Dundee achieved the greatest increase in the country in the national Annual Participation measure of local 16–19-year-olds in education, employment or training in the last year.          

However, agencies behind the partnership are stressing that their commitment needs to continue so that more people in the city can benefit and take on new opportunities.  

Employment Minister Tom Arthur said: “The Scottish Government is committed to reducing barriers to participating in the labour market and Scotland’s employability services are collaborating with youth organisations, charities and the NHS to deliver this.   

“We are also introducing specialist employability support from summer 2025 so that more people with disabilities and long-term health conditions can access secure fulfilling jobs.”  

Simon Hewitt, Chair of Discover Work and Principal of Dundee & Angus College, said: “Following the launch of the Discover Work Strategy in 2022, the partnership has been collectively focused on addressing the long-standing employability challenges within the city.   

“Over the past 12 months we are starting to see the impact of this collective effort, and over the same period we have seen more Dundonians progressing into a positive destination. Something the partnership is extremely proud of.  

 "However, we also recognise that there is still work to do, and the Discover Work Annual Conference is an opportunity to pause, step back and regroup to ensure we are all aligned and are continuing to do the right things for the people of Dundee.”    

Cllr Steven Rome, city council convener of Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure said: “The city council is continuously improving its employability support to be more effective at helping people to gain skills, while also assisting local employers to attract appropriately qualified and motivated staff.    

“The world of work has changed beyond recognition in the last few years, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is still being felt. It is vital that our employability services can help people overcome challenges and improve their prospects.   

“The entire Discover Work Partnership is determined to make a real difference to people’s lives by providing the right support to get them into employment and, crucially, sustain them there.”    

Connie Calvo, Skills Development Scotland area manager for Tayside, said: “Today’s conference illustrates the importance of the collective efforts happening in Dundee to equip people with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing job market. Skills Development Scotland are proud to work alongside our Discover Work partners to ensure the people of Dundee have access to the support, training, and resources they need to build rewarding careers and drive our local economy forward.” 

 Funds are being invested to deliver support through an Employability Pathway programme in Dundee over the next five years.   

This is being undertaken by the All in Dundee consortium led by ENABLE Works in partnership with Alexander Community Development, Barnardo’s, Helm, One Parent Families Scotland, Street League and Volunteering Matters.  The council is to establish a new single employability service which will be formally launched in Spring 2025.     

Discover Work members include Skills Development Scotland, Dundee and Angus College, the Department for Work and Pensions, Dundee City Council, Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, Dundee Volunteer & Voluntary Action (Third Sector Interface), Developing the Young Workforce, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Tayside, Business Gateway, and Social Security Scotland.  

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