A new scheme to help Aberdeen parents into work while simultaneously tackling childcare shortages has been launched by Aberdeen City Council.
The ABZWorks Bright Starts project will provide 12-week internships for eligible parents in childcare roles within Council-run settings, with a guaranteed interview at the end. Some opportunities for young people will also be available.
To check if they are eligible, parents should contact abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk or call 01224 346100.
Aberdeen City Co-Leader, Councillor Christian Allard, said: “Good and quality employment is a route out of poverty for many families.
“Parents already have many of the skills that Early Years workers need, and these ABZWorks Bright Starts internships, and the jobs that may result from them, can fit around individuals’ childcare needs, while also opening more childcare places for other parents and removing barriers to work.
“These internships will provide parents with genuine opportunities to train on the job, build qualifications and experience, secure long-term quality employment and to progress up the career ladder and by doing so, find a clear route out of poverty.”
The internships, funded via Parental Employability Support Fund monies from the Scottish Government, will be paid at Real Living Wage rate and every participant will receive support from an ABZWorks employability keyworker. The internships are part-time, flexible up to 30 hours per week, designed to fit around parents’ own childcare needs.
Benefits advice and support will be built into the programme to ensure that parents who secure an internship through the scheme are receiving all benefits they are entitled to.
ABZWorks Bright Starts will help to address resourcing gaps in the early learning and childcare sector, which is experiencing high demand for places and will grow with the Early Learning and Childcare expansion programme as part of the Bright Start, Bright Futures strategy.
It is one of a series of activities designed to support parents into employment, education, or training, and out of poverty.
The first cohort will start their internships in the coming weeks.