Pioneering Partnership Celebrates Employability Support for 1,500 people

Cabinet Secretary congratulates “All In Dundee” on landmark in employability support

An innovative third sector partnership in Dundee has welcomed the Fair Work Secretary to celebrate reaching the impressive landmark of supporting 1,500 people in the city.

All in Dundee, led by Enable Works, was established in 2019 to support people aged 16-67 who face a variety of barriers to employment. The consortium, funded by Dundee City Council’s Discover Work Partnership through Scottish Government employability funds, brings together 8 Third Sector employability providers to make their respective specialist expertise and support available through a single employability pathway.

Enable Works, Barnardo’s, Access to Industry, One Parent Families Scotland, Volunteering Matters, The Prince’s Trust, Helm Training and Street League work together as one of the largest third sector employability consortiums in Scotland to provide specialist employability support to people who face some of the biggest barriers to the workplace.

122,000 people in Scotland are currently unemployed, while the disability employment gap sits at 31%. The Scottish Government has set a target to halve the disability employment gap by 2038.

On a visit to Dundee to meet representatives of the partnership and people who have been successfully supported into work, Neil Gray, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, said:

“The Scottish Government is focused on tackling the barriers and discrimination which prevents disabled people from getting into work and realising their full potential, as well as denying employers a rich source of skills and talent.

“We are working in partnership with the third sector, local government, and disabled people to ensure Scotland’s workplaces are inclusive and diverse, and the milestone being celebrated here today at All in Dundee demonstrates the positive impact working together can have.

“Everybody who can and wants to work should get the support they may need to find good rewarding jobs.”

Director of Enable Works, Ashley Ryan, said:

“All in Dundee proves the power of genuine collaboration across the public, private and third sectors to tackle major societal challenges.

“21% of working age people in Scotland are economically inactive, yet 33% of businesses are reporting labour shortages. This is an opportunity cost for our economy. There are thousands of people who want a fair chance to work and have a career, and it’s in everyone’s interest to make those opportunities reality.

“That’s why projects to break down barriers to employment for those who are furthest from the workplace are a critical element of efforts to build a wellbeing economy. We’re proud that All in Dundee has supported 1,500 people to date, but there are thousands more here and across the country who we want to reach in the months and years ahead.”

Craig from Lochee is the 1,500^th person supported by All in Dundee. 

Craig, who recently had his first job interview in 10 years said:

“I can’t thank everyone at All in Dundee enough; particularly Amanda, who I call the Fairy Jobmother! I know I’m one of so many people who have benefitted from the support of All in Dundee, and I hope many more people will get the support they need to get into work in the future.”