North Lanarkshire Launches 2 Employability Programs for 2,000 Residents After 1,434 Job Placements
Updated
Updated · northlanarkshire.gov.uk · May 15
North Lanarkshire Launches 2 Employability Programs for 2,000 Residents After 1,434 Job Placements
1 articles · Updated · northlanarkshire.gov.uk · May 15
More than 2,000 North Lanarkshire residents are set to receive support under a new council agreement with Routes to Work, centered on an all-age employment service and a parental employment program.
The deal extends community-based help for unemployed people and those facing barriers to work, including training, work experience, and practical support such as childcare and travel costs.
1,434 people moved into employment through council-funded programs over the past year, beating job outcome targets, and 71% were still in work after 26 weeks.
Thirteen per cent of those who found work had previously been economically inactive, including residents with long-term health conditions or caring responsibilities.
The renewed investment targets young people, low-income parents, and people with health or justice-related barriers as the council ties employability support to wider anti-poverty and economic opportunity goals.
With a 71% job retention rate, is this plan truly tackling poverty or just creating a cycle of low-paid, insecure work?
As the UK loses £212 billion annually to ill health, can North Lanarkshire's local model be scaled up to solve a national crisis?