We have listed some frequently asked questions and answers about the Employability Pipeline and Positive Futures programme. If your question isn’t listed here, check out one of our advice or directory pages: Looking for work, Money and debt advice, Employability Providers Directory, Financial Providers Directory.
Q What is the Employability Pipeline?
AThe Perth & Kinross Employability Pipeline is a multi-service, multi-provider programme of support for eligible jobless citizens of Perth & Kinross, providing a 5-stage pathway of support from worklessness to sustainable employment. Providers and contractors work together to move local people towards and into sustainable employment. The provision will include barrier removal, sector-based skills academies, wage incentives, training, work placements, employer engagement, job outcomes and in-work support and aftercare.
Q What is “Positive Futures!”?
APositive Futures! is a multi-service, multi-provider programme of support for eligible citizens of Perth & Kinross. The Positive Futures! project will focus on providing support, advice and assistance on finances, housing, benefits, health, employment and education. It will focus on lone parent and workless households with children, in five “Areas of deprivation” Council wards throughout Perth & Kinross: Perth City North, Perth City Centre, Blairgowrie and the Glens, Strathmore and Highland.
Q How do I get work / job support from an Employability provider?
Q What kind of work training and support can I get?
AMany of the Employability Pipeline Providers can support with employability skills and work with other agencies, who can provide accredited or vocational training and can also provide information on volunteering opportunities.
Q What kind of financial help and advice can I get?
APositive Futures! is suitable for people for all ages and will help beneficiaries to overcome barriers such as lack of confidence with money, poor money management and budgeting skills, understanding saving and borrowing, money skills for employment, money skills for self-employment, dealing effectively with debt. The Positive Futures providers also offer free, confidential and impartial welfare rights advice and representation, benefits advice and more.
Q How do I get money advice from a Financial Help provider?
Q Do I need to be referred to any of the providers, e.g. by Perth & Kinross Council?
Q What is the European Social Fund?
AThe European Social Fund (ESF) is the European Union's main financial instrument for supporting employment in the member states of the European Union as well as promoting economic and social cohesion.
Q What criteria or conditions do I have to meet to get support?
AAccess to support is subject to eligibility criteria:
- Employability Pipeline – You must have multiple barriers to employment, including long-term unemployed, to be eligible for the ESF Employability Pipeline.
What are the possible barriers to work?
- Positive Futures – You must live within low-income, workless and/or lone-parent households), to be eligible for Positive Futures.
Q Do I have to make an appointment?
AMost of the providers offer an outreach or drop-in service in particular geographical areas, for an initial informal chat, so there is no need to make an appointment. However, depending on the nature of the enquiry, it is advisable to contact the provider to find out more about locations and days and times they are available. Contact details can be found in the Employability Directory and the Financial Help Directory.
Q Will registering with the ESF Pipeline or Positive Futures! affect my benefits?
Q Is the advice and support confidential?
AAll advice and support is strictly confidential and all information is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Q Is the advice and support free?
AYes all advice and support is free.
Q Can my partner (who lives at the same address as me) access the same services at the same time?
AYes, as long as the individual meets the eligibility criteria anyone can access the same service.
Q Can I access any of the services and support online?
AYou can contact any of the providers online initially, but then your chosen provider would have a face-to-face chat with you in order to get you registered, check your eligibility, sign any forms, etc.
Q I don’t have a computer. How do I contact a provider – can I just pop in or phone one of the providers, rather than emailing them?