Discover Work Annual Report

Dundee's Discover Work employability network is continuing to get more people into positive destinations and work.

Efforts that Dundee partners are undertaking will be showcased to councillors through the annual report on the Discover Work Strategy and Action Plan.

The update reveals that the rate of young Dundonians aged 16-19 participating in employment, education, or training is at its highest level since reporting began a decade ago, marking the third year this has been achieved.

This illustrates how local agencies have been delivering initiatives across the city, including the approach called “A Step Change in Positive Destinations for Young Dundonians”.

Looking at work across the city and age ranges, the report explains that through a range of interventions, over 2500 people of all ages were assisted by the city’s Employability Pathway in the period 2024-26, with 1160 of those entering a positive destination.

And as part of a new approach to improve access to services, an integrated hub for employability, training, skills, and advice services is being developed on the ground floor of Dundee House.  

The facility will provide a space for several partner organisations to co-locate and for customers to access multiple services in a single location, delivering a much more seamless service.  Partners will include all Employability Providers, Skills Development Scotland, Dundee & Angus College, Job Centre Plus, and Council Advice Services.

Activity highlighted in report includes:

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) Programme for Scotland's Childminding Futures

The programme will support up to 10 new childminders in Dundee through a training and induction package provided by SCMA, alongside a Scottish Government Business Grant.  

"Discover Together" – NHS Tayside

This initiative provides six-month paid placements for six unemployed or underemployed parents within NHS Tayside between October 2025 and April 2026. Placements were paid above the Real Living Wage and offered family-friendly working patterns to accommodate family commitments.

Sector-based Work Academies

A range of Sector-based Work Academies has been delivered in partnership with employers experiencing skills shortages. These programmes combine general employability training, vocational and industry qualifications, and work placements.

Individual Placement and Support Service – All in Dundee (ENABLE) and NHS Tayside

This initiative expands the specialist Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service, helping people with severe and enduring mental health problems to secure and maintain employment.  

Earn and Learn Modern Apprenticeship Opportunities

Fourteen Modern Apprenticeship opportunities have been created with partner organisations for young people who are not currently participating in employment, education, or training.  

The ARC – All in Dundee (Barnardo's)

An Alternative Route Collaborative (ARC) has been established to support young people who have engaged with Dundee City's offsite provisions

Cllr Steven Rome, convener of City Growth and Infrastructure said: “The city council is continuously improving its employability support to be more effective at helping people to gain skills.

“The world of work has changed beyond recognition in the last few years, it is vital that our employability services can adapt to help people improve their prospects and overcome challenges in their lives.  

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

"We are also keen to assist local employers to attract appropriately qualified and motivated staff.

“While this report contains many positive achievements, we are determined to keep up this momentum and assist even more people in the future."

The report will be considered by the City Growth and Infrastructure Committee on Monday November 16, 2026.