Targeted learning package for people disadvantaged by Covid-19
16 September 2021
A targeted learning package for those whose employment opportunities have been hardest hit by Covid-19 was today agreed at committee.
Aberdeen City Council operational delivery committee approved the £90,000 package which will help women, disabled people, and BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) adults.
Partners and services working directly with these groups have identified a need for additional support in basic skills such as literacy, numeracy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Another Language) to enable individuals to access employability programmes.
Aberdeen City Council operational delivery convener Councillor Philip Bell said: “The learning package will help those who have been most disadvantaged during Covid-19 in several practical ways.
“We hope it will make a difference to these disadvantaged people and we look forward to getting updates about the programme as it progresses.”
A report to committee said data and current research suggest that those most affected by Covid-19 are women, disabled and BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) adults. Partners and services working directly with these groups have identified a need for additional support in basic skills such as literacy, numeracy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Another Language) to enable individuals to access employability programmes.
The employability project will work with participants, to better understand their abilities, skills, and interests and then identify ways to address their barriers to employment. This could mean working to improve confidence and self-esteem following redundancy, support in dealing with literacy, discrimination, disability, mental illness, or other kinds of disadvantage that restrict opportunities.
The report said a 14-week programme has been developed and will be delivered by Community Learning teams and partner providers. The programme is linked significantly to the council’s employability service and has been promoted through ABZ works. It is anticipated there will be 84 participants per block with three blocks.
Short bite ESOL classes focussing on CV writing and interview skills have been developed and delivery planned to start in September. Learners will also be able to access general ESOL provision and specific tailored programmes such as the women-only ESOL delivered in partnership with Women’s Aid.
The Power Tools programme, developed by Aberdeenshire Council, shared free of charge is a course of eight resilience sessions, which have been adapted for delivery will be delivered in north, central and south areas of the city alongside an online programme citywide.
Outdoor Learning Opportunities will be offered focusing on confidence building, team building and customer service, including the option to complete an emergency first aid at work course.
The report added access to resources to enable participation will be provide including laptops and iPads via the Phase 3 of Connecting Scotland programme, transport, and support to access childcare.