Driving Economic Development in Diverse Dunbartonshire: PACE Partnership Success
Explore the impactful support activities and benefits of the PACE initiative in Dunbartonshire, aiding companies, employees, and the community for sustainable economic growth.
Driving Economic Development in Diverse Dunbartonshire: PACE Partnership Success
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Presentation Transcript
Chris Thomas Partnership Development Manager Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire PACE in Dunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire In Context • Diverse area • 3 Councils • GDP 32% behind Scottish average • Population : 233,000 (4.5% of Scotland) • Declining & Ageing Population • -3% over next 10 years • Unemployment SED: 5.6% • Unemployment Scotland: 4.5% • Unemployment in West Dunbartonshire: 10.2% (Highest Male rate: 13.8%) • 5000 Businesses • 97% of businesses employ less than 50 people
PACE In Dunbartonshire • 37 cases since 2000 • 4000+ jobs • Previous significant losses • J&B (850 jobs) • Kvaerner (300+ jobs) • UIE/GE (300+ jobs) • Lennox Castle (500+ jobs)
Local Response Team Existing Partnership Forum • SED • Councils x 3 • Jobcentre Plus • Careers Scotland • FE Colleges x 2 • SIP • Enterprise Trust Case Teams recruited as appropriate
Support Activities • Resource Centres • Vacancies • Internet • CV prep • Postage • Information Pack • 1-1 support • Guidance • Training • Benefits • Counselling • Training Sessions • Individual support
Process • Equifax Senior Management confirmed redundancies • Contacted SED • Group Sessions • Further Group Sessions/One to one interviews • Staff move onto Training/Job Opportunities
Benefits From the staff point of view • Access to information on benefits, career, training, etc. • Allowed staff access to funded training/supported employment • Guidance from Careers Advisors and Business Advisors • Helped staff have a more positive outlook
Benefits From the company point of view • Single point of contact • Helped us maintain operations • Connected staff with other opportunities • Allowed Equifax to be seen as a ‘responsible employer’
Benefits From my point of view • Satisfaction • Learned useful information • ‘Liked it so much, I bought the company…’
Caseload 2002/03 • 17 Cases • 9 Closures • Over 1,000 Jobs • Variable employer engagement • Benefits of PACE service • 50% supported into employment/training • new businesses created
Critical Success Factors • Early Warning • Company Support • Partner Support • do not overload • trust & relationships • Quick Wins • Flexibility • Tracking & Follow up
Further Developments • New Partners • Business Gateway • 3rd Sector • New Focus on Employee Development • Part of prevention • Increasing awareness/adaptability of workers • PART • Turning PACE on it’s head