16+ E-prospectus launched

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is working closely with the Scottish Government and Local Authorities to ensure that all training providers offering courses for the 16 plus age group are listed on the NLOD (national learning opportunities database).

The aim is to put in place clear, robust processes for ensuring that all young people completing compulsory schooling have a suitable offer of post-16 learning, with a particular focus on providing more choices and chances for those who need them. The NLOD will ‘power’ the e-prospectus, a web-based portal.

The plan is to have the model in place across Scotland by December 2010. It will include information on the full range of potential ‘offers’ available to 16-19 year olds such as training courses, national programmes and voluntary opportunities throughout Scotland, which can then be narrowed down to the individual’s local area. Part of this initiative includes a West Lothian 16+ e-prospectus which maps all available provision for the 16+ age group.

If you require any further information, for example, specific reports printed, are aware of any other providers or for amendments to the e-prospectus please contact:

Wendy Stuart at mailto:wendy.stuart@westlothian.gov.uk or 01560 777935

Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures are out today for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures).

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for April is 5,041. This is a decrease of 145 on the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.7% is higher than both the Scottish (4.3%) and Great Britain (4.1%) rates.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 11th highest.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for January is 1,565.
• This is an decrease of 80 on the last month.
• There were 718 notified Jobcentre vacancies in April - a net decrease of 75 from March 2010.
• 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 6.1:1, Great Britain is 5.1:1 with North Ayrshire having the highest ratio of 18.6:1 (19 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.