Education and employability – forging futures

Written by Joymarie Robinson (Project Worker, Barnardo’s) and Georgina Bowyer (UKSPF Grants Manager, Capital City Partnership)

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) supports twelve organisations in Edinburgh to provide employability services for those who are looking to move into work.  The fund complements employability provision already in place through Scottish Government initiatives, by adding projects tailored to specific audiences and/or those that offer a unique form of support.

Employability sometimes acts as a “finishing school” for those who have relevant skills and abilities, but perhaps need interview practice, expert advice on job applications, or need financial support to access workwear or to pay the first instalment of nursery fees.  For others, engaging with an employability service can be a longer-term commitment, tackling barriers to work such as housing problems or mental health difficulties, assessing career path options, and helping an individual to gain new skills and experience before moving into work.

Last week was the UN’s International Day of Education, which reminds us of the work still to be done to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for everyone.  It also highlights the important role that education plays in promoting peace and development across the world.  Noting this occasion, we spoke to Barnardo’s about their UKSPF-funded work with young people in Edinburgh and the role that education has played in young people’s lives and their pathways to work.

The Barnardo’s team kindly shared a story about a young man called Darren, who is care experienced.  Darren is 24 and previously held a CSCS labourers' card and worked in construction. Darren was referred to Barnardo’s by his social worker because his CSCS card had expired which limited his ability to find work. The lack of stable home support meant that this was difficult for Darren to address on his own.

Staff at Barnardo’s supported Darren to review the topics covered on the CSCS exam, renew his Elementary Health and Safety qualification, create a CV, and eventually sit and pass the exam. Darren also received support to access benefits and obtain official identification.  Many factors about being in care make it particularly difficult for young people to engage with education and training, from the associated costs to the availability of mental health services. According to the Scottish Government, over 14,000 children and young people are in care. This statistic does not include those who have left care. This indicates a significant cohort of Scottish young people who must overcome substantial barriers to be able to engage in education, training or move into employment.  Without the support of Barnardo’s, Darren would not have been able to renew his qualifications and would have struggled to progress in his career.

To help care experienced young people re-engage with education, Barnardo’s follow a comprehensive approach and address the multilayered barriers involved. It is important to consider mental health and access to benefits, and to ensure good physical health. Without their primary needs being met, young people struggle to focus on other things.  Barnardo’s also strives to create strong partnerships with resource providers and social services to ensure that a holistic approach is applied.

Today, Darren has his CSCS card.  He is looking for jobs as a labourer and is interested in specialised training in construction.  Darren recently expressed how hopeful and excited he is about his prospects.  He knows that Barnardo’s will support him should he need it - not only in work and training, but also with his health and access to resources and benefits. This has built Darren’s confidence, and he now views the future as holding multiple possibilities.

As we mark the International Day of Education this month, we celebrate the work undertaken by organisations like Barnardo’s.  This work is crucial to ensuring that access to education and training becomes more inclusive and equitable, and to creating a future where all young people have the opportunity to learn and flourish.