North Lanarkshire has it's share of young people who transition to employment from education with social, physical or mental health issues that immediately put them at a disadvantage in the hunt for training and employment. 

That’s why North Lanarkshire Council’s Supported Enterprise Service strives to help those in the community who are facing these difficult challenges, to gain and sustain employment. The Service - which encompasses supported employment; North Lanarkshire Industries (our supported business) and Project SEARCH partnerships – has supported many clients in gaining valuable skills and training, thanks to its collaboration with Routes to Work. Skills training in first aid, construction and food hygiene amongst
others have led to many successful employment outcomes, increasing clients’ confidence and self-belief in their ability to do the job. It’s also the simple things that make a difference. The financial support from Routes to Work has been instrumental in ensuring clients have had access to appropriate workwear or shopping to tide them over until that first pay-cheque arrives.

​As a Job Coach with North Lanarkshire Council I would like to highlight that the partnership networking with Routes to Work on behalf of the service users who use our service is invaluable. The working partnership with Routes to Work in respect of the training packages made available and job finding action plans in conjunction with Supported Enterprise staff are priceless in so far as they address the need skills and attributes of service users in Supported Enterprise.
The personnel within Routes to Work are supportive and helpful in the advice they give and the sign posting strategies they suggest. This is an example of a great co-working and it is hoped that this may continue to be so.

Paul Rushton
Job Coach
North Lanarkshire Council
Enterprise and Place Supported Enterprise Service

​By working in partnership with Routes To Work, this has provided the opportunity for students on Employability courses at New College Lanarkshire to gain further support in the career development. We regularly work with Routes To Work staff who always put our students at the heart of what they do. This leads to our students feeling positive about entering the workplace as well as receiving practical support as they progress onto sustainable employment.

Thanks,

Laurence Hansen NCLAN
Employability Officer for the Regional Business Development department.

There are some real benefits being derived from partnership initiatives that have been created by RTW staff.  I particular appreciate the work that Routes to Work have done to help our mutual customers in Coatbridge Library with their search for employment.  This arrangement certainly works for us and I hope it continues into the future.

Evelyn Hutchison
Open Learning Officer
CultureNL Ltd

Since their inception Routes to Work Ltd have been a valued partner with New College Lanarkshire.  The partnership ensures we facilitate progressions to employment, for our learners to access vacancies on the Lanarkshire’s Working on-line portal and referrals to the wide range of programmes that the college offers.

Stuart Matson 
New College Lanarkshire

The Women’s Community Justice Service needed assistance when handling requests to provide access to volunteering, training and employment opportunities for women on Community Payback Orders.

Routes to Work was able to step in and devise an eight-week personal development programme that saw seven women complete a variety of workshops and learning outcomes. The participants gave extremely positive feedback, with a level of success that will ensure future programmes are delivered.

And the results?
- Two women are in full-time work
- One is starting college
- One is training as a mentor
- One is being Supported by Routes to Work to set up a business