A new Welfare to Work programme; Stairway to Work has launched to offer individuals seeking work and training across 26 Scottish Deprived Area Wards, an opportunity to change their lives for the better.

JHP Employability will work in partnership with Carnegie College, Angus College and Perth College to deliver free career advice and guidance to help people into work.

As part of a government initiative, the new programme will be fully funded and these delivery partners will collaborate with Jobcentre Plus branches to create an easily accessible facility for individuals to seek employability support.

The aim of Stairway to Work is to contribute to reducing unemployment and inactivity, and to help tackle barriers to work faced by disadvantaged groups in those 26 Wards with the highest levels of unemployment. With excellent employer contacts within the area, JHP Employability can offer their clients and learners easy access to a wide range of employment opportunities – all at no cost!

John Wallace, Head of Employability in Scotland comments, “Stairway to Work is an exciting new programme for JHP Employability, offering excellent support and progression options for residents across many of the most deprived areas in Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside. This is an important part of our growing Scottish employability portfolio, and I’m confident Stairway to Work will provide the support needed to help unemployed people into local jobs”.

Stairway to Work will be available to unemployed people within the following areas: Forth Valley, Fife, Tayside and Perth.