Moray Pathways @ The Inkwell employability hub launches in Elgin
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A CENTRAL hub has opened for people in Moray who want to get support with learning, training and work.
The Moray Pathways @ The Inkwell project, which will provide a single point of contact, officially launched on Monday, July 5.
The hub on Francis Place has been the long-held vision of a sub-group of the Moray Pathways network, which includes members of Moray Council's employability team, the Department of Work and Pensions, Elgin Youth Development Group (EYDG), Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray.
EYDG is hosting the all-ages employability hub for those most in need of such support. All 25 of the partners involved will run activities from the building.
Project officers Kailie Walsh and Will Napier will co-ordinate a wide range of employability and training support by working with several other agencies to ensure the right help is easily accessed by those who need it.
Will said: "It’s really gratifying to be working on a project that will make such an important and positive impact on the quality of life for the people of Moray.
"This project couldn’t come at a better time as so many people, particularly young people, are trying to overcome barriers or struggling to manage financially as a result of the pandemic and finding it really difficult to see a way forward.
"The team here at the hub, along with our partners, are committed to pulling out all the stops and providing the kind of direct, practical support and assistance that will make the difference in so many peoples’ lives."
Kailie added: "It’s really great to see all the agencies pulling together, and making life as easy as possible for service users to access all their services here, under one roof, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
"People can come to us – one point of contact – we'll get to know them and put them on the right track, and keep up support as they progress.
"We can help people to help themselves get jobs and apprenticeships."
Ann Dowd, employer and partnership manager for Moray at Jobcentre Plus, said: "Moray Pathways is an excellent opportunity for young people to get the help they need. Our youth employability coach, based at the Youth Hub, can give them the tailored support they need to find work, develop new skills and build experience."
The project also involves developing a new menu of online provision and utilising the digital platforms already established.
Clair Ferguson, chief executive officer with the EYDG, added: "We are delighted to be hosting the new employability hub and are looking forward to welcoming partners into the Inkwell.
"This gives people a very central, nice, safe and welcoming place to come and get advice and support.
"At the EYDG, we aim to improve the lives of young people and we believe that the range of activities partners will be offering will have a positive impact on those who need it most."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead attended the launch. He said: "Only by people working together in partnership at local level in our communities are we really going to reach out to people who need the support, so this is a really good example of that in action."
