THIRD SECTOR EMPLOYABILITY FORUM
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Scottish Government, EuropaBuilding, Glasgow
Present:
Sam AndersonSAMH
Alan BoyleWest Fife Enterprise
Blyth DeansLennox Partnership
Alistair CameronClaverhouse Group
Norman Chipakupaku CEMVO
Philip DunionApex Scotland
Joanne FarrowScottish Government
Kirsten GoodayCommunity Care Providers Scotland
Edward GormanRichmond Fellowship Glasgow
Karen HerbertReal Work Skills
Michael HollingerSCVO
Sue HorsburghThe Action Group
Isobel LawsonStepping Stones for Families
Lorna McCandlishACE Recycling CIC
Donna MackinnonSCVO
Laurie RussellThe Wise Group
Lucy McTernanSCVO
Mike O’DonnellScottish Government
Doreen WalkinshawENABLE Scotland
Margaret WallaceSCVO
Paul Zealeypza (Facilitator)
Apologies:
Anita BoyleLAMH Recycle Ltd
Morag CassidyRemploy
Jayne ChappellSocial Firms Scotland
Louise ChristieAspire2gether
Joyce ConnonWEA
Sheila FyfeMicrocom
Pauline GrahamSocial Firms Scotland
Jane OvertonCumnock Credit Union
Peter PurvesIntowork
John ReidAccess to Employment
1. Notes of last meeting
The note of the last meeting was agreed.
2. Update on Third Sector Employability Forum staffing arrangements
The secondment opportunity had been opened out to external candidates and four candidates were being interviewed the following week by a panel of Beverley Frances, Craig McLaren and Lucy McTernan
3.Priorities for the Forum
The online survey had yielded the following four “high priority” areas of work:
1. Resourcing the employability pipeline for those furthest from the labour market
2. Third sector involvement in local employability partnerships
3. Opening up local procurement, and
4. Short term nature of funding
The secondee would lead on establishing work groups on these areas making best possible use of on-line communications.
It was agreed that other work groups could be established where members had particular interests, but these would not be resourced by the secondee.
Mike O’Donnell described how the National Delivery Group operated and it was agreed that it would be very useful to bring the Forum and the Group together. Mike also spoke about the information and resources that could be made available including local labour market information, and progress on Workforce Plus and More Choices, More Chances activity.
It was also noted that many strategies and plans had been written before the economic downturn and it was important to have information that reflected the current situation.
It was also confirmed that the Forum would welcome input from Jobcentre Plus as appropriate.
4. Steering Group
Following discussion it was agreed to continue the open forum as the de facto steering group, but to keep this arrangement under review should it become impractical.
5. Chair
The revised job description and recruitment process for the Chair was agreed. Beverley Francis would take informal enquiries about the post and expressions of interest should be sent to her.
A recruitment panel of representatives from The Scottish Government, SCVO and wider forum members would be convened after the closing date.
5. Conference
Following discussion, it was agreed that the Forum should not plan its own employability conference next Spring, but should participate in both The Gathering and the Welfare to Work Scotland Convention (if it was going ahead).
It should however work towards an Autumn 2010 conference, after being established for a full year, and probably mid-point between UK and Scottish elections.
6. On-line learning network
Joanne Farrow provided a demonstration of The Scottish Government’s Employability in Scotland website and demonstrated the on-line Employability Learning Network.
It was agreed that these would be very useful resources and encouragement would be made to members to “sign up”.
It was agreed that minutes from the Forum would be hosted on the website and that each work-groups would explore using the on-line community to develop their work programme.
7. Date of next meeting
Provisional date and venue: Tuesday 24 November 2009, 1pm- 2.30pm, EuropaBuilding, 450 Argyle Street, Glasgow.
A sandwich lunch will be available from 12.30pm.