Almost 150 attendees came together at this year’s Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development (SLAED) People Group conference in Stirling on 6-7 May 2025.
The annual conference brought together almost 100 local authority employability colleagues with over 40 employability partners from organisations such as Scottish Government, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and third sector representatives.
The focus of the first day was policy and partnership, with input from the UK Government, Office of the Chief Economic Advisor and a review of the SLAED Indicators relating to employability to help set the scene. A panel session featuring Scottish Government, local government, Public Health Scotland, DWP and the Third Sector Employability Forum looked at economic inactivity, specifically among people who have a disability or long-term health condition.
Breakout sessions on what success looks like to different agencies delivering employability support took the day to lunchtime, with four thematic workshops being delivered after lunch on community wealth building, employer engagement, pathfinders and Fairer Futures Partnerships, and employability support for new Scots and those with no recourse to public funds.
The last session of the day was an overview of the Employability Strategic Plan governance, activity underway within the working groups and achievements on the short-term actions to date.
Day two, for local government colleagues only, focused on self-assessment, delivery and reach. It looked at good practice in commissioning, how we review the SLAED Indicators so that we can better evidence the impact and outcomes of employability provision, as well as examining whether services align with local demographics, and what support and activities give the best outcomes for people with various characteristics.
The final session of the day was Ruth’s Rumours – five-minute inputs from different areas who were promoting something they did that was different and gave enhanced, or unexpected outcomes. Presentations from Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Lothians, Moray and Falkirk Councils went down well and much discussion and networking took place over lunch and well into the afternoon.
A very busy, productive and interesting couple of days which will set the scene for much more partnership working over the year ahead.
For further information contact Susie.donkin@improvementservice.org.uk