Environmental scheme is a cut above

A new initiative is helping local young people take a key role in improving their environment and getting new skills for work.

Four West Lothian young people have been working in the woodland area in Fauldhouse near the football pitches, to open up the woodland and make it safer for walkers.

The project has been developed by a partnership group including Community Regeneration, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland, and aims to make a positive difference in the local environment, and give the young people involved new skills to help them find work.

The project will offer 12 unemployed young people a job for six months. They will receive training both on the job and formal classroom based training such as chainsaw use, tree planting and chemical spraying. In addition to gaining skills necessary to assist them in labour market, the young people will also undertake small scale environmental improvements in the Fauldhouse area for the benefit of the local community.

Both West Lothian’s LEADER programme, which provides European funds for rural development projects, and the government’s new Future Jobs Fund, which funds schemes that create new employment opportunities for young people aged from 16 to 25, are financially supporting the project.

Martyn Day, Executive Councillor for Transport and Development, said: “This is very worthwhile initiative, which will both give local young people skills to help them find work and make a real difference to the Fauldhouse area.

“In their first week in their new jobs, the young people learned how to safely use the tools for the job, including bow saws, hand tools, high loppers and chippers, which are essential for anyone looking to work in this field.

“I’m delighted to see so many different organisations come together for a project like this, which will substantially improve both the environment in Fauldhouse and the chances of these young people finding a permanent job.”

The project was identified by the Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, who are managing the young workers, and has been contracted to Living Solutions, a social enterprise company set up to tackle social and environmental problems with expertise in landscaping and woodland maintenance.

Forestry Commission Scotland has been working with Living Solutions to identify other work to be undertaken by the project during the next few months.

Pictured are the four young people involved, left to right, Scott Maxwell, Kevin McKee, Geoff Morris and Michael Morajda.

Kal's employment success story

Kal is a 21 year old young man who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a condition occurring in the “high functioning” section of the Autistic Spectrum. Although he is well presented and very intelligent Kal had never been able to obtain paid employment. This was, to a large extent, due to his disability, the central features of which include difficulties with communication, social relationships and flexibility of thinking.

In October 2008 Kal was referred to Intowork West Lothian, who had just commenced a new employment–focused service to West Lothian residents with Asperger’s Syndrome or Acquired Brain Injury. Kal worked on a weekly basis with Intowork, learning how to cope with issues arisng from his Autism and acquiring the skills needed to gain sustainable employment. Kal was also keen to enter the world of Higher Education, so a two-pronged strategy was developed. Whilst applying for a large number of jobs - mainly in the retail sector - Kal also applied to West Lothian College to do a full-time HNC in Digital Media. He was accepted for this course and is currently studying hard and enjoying taking part in Higher Education.

Kal was, for a long time, unsuccessful in obtaining paid employment. Although he did get a number of interviews he always fell at the last hurdle, mainly due to his lack of experience and particular difficulties with interviews due to his disability. This did not deter Kal and he put more effort into improving his skills. His efforts were rewarded in October this year when, having been interviewed for a position with Scotmid at the new store in Dedridge, was offered a part-time position.

Kal responded well to his training and is now a key member of staff. He enjoys his job and is always enthusiastic. He says that the training and support he received from the Scotmid management and staff was second to none, and he has fitted in well with the team.

Intowork West Lothian will continue to support Kal in his employment; offering support to his employer and staff on an “as required” basis. Kal is an excellent example and role model to any young person – with or without disability – who is struggling to find employment and is to be congratulated on his fantastic achievements.

Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures) have been released.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for February 2010 is 5,311. This is an increase of 94 on the January 2010 figure.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.9% is higher than both the Scottish (4.5%) and Great Britain (4.3%) rates. These rates are unchanged from the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 11th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas, down from 10th in January.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for February is 1,610. This is an increase of 10 on the last month.
• There were 723 notified Jobcentre vacancies in February - an increase of 89 from January.
• The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies stands at 7 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 6.7:1, Great Britain is 5.7:1 with West Dunbartonshire having the highest ratio of 15.8:1 (Almost 16 jobseekers for every vacancy).

Future Jobs Fund Update

28 people are currently in post across West Lothian as a result of the Future Jobs Fund, with a further 20 about to start new jobs. The jobs include 6 people working in farm and catering positions at Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston; 3 collecting and delivering furniture with Home Aid based in Bathgate; 2 involved in the food coop and development work at the Pitstop in Addiewell; 4 working in forestry initiatives around Fauldhouse and 4 working from the Volunteer Centre in Bathgate.
We are still looking for employers who can create a new job with community benefit for 6 months for a young person aged 18 – 24 for which DWP will contribute £6,500 per job.
Contact Sandra Darling at West Lothian Council on 01506 777944