Parents across North Ayrshire are learning about sustainability and enhancing their job opportunities thanks to a new employability initiative.
North Ayrshire Council is currently supporting local business to participate in a Net Zero Nation Accelerator programme, to work towards achieving net zero targets by boosting sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.
The Step into Sustainable Business programme has created new carbon accounts administrator roles for parents who are looking to join the workforce, offering six-month placements with businesses that are participating in the Net Zero Accelerator programme.
These include Lowmac Alloys, Green Home Systems, J&D Pierce, Kingscroft Logistics, Ailsa Reliability Solutions, BPO Collections and McLaughlin Construction.
Parents have been helped to prepare for these opportunities by the team at We Work for Families (WWFF), which is a Council-funded service in Ardrossan that supports parents into work.
WWFF has offered the programme’s participants guidance on accessing childcare, getting support with travel costs and preparing for the world of work. Advisers also work in partnership with Ardrossan housing, welfare and debt charity CHAP to get advice to ensure they will be financially better off in work.
Before starting placements, participants studied for a PC Passport at Ayrshire College and attended training with the council’s Business Development Team to learn about the Net Zero Nation Accelerator Programme and how carbon reduction benefits organisations.
All of the new recruits are now working towards completing an SVQ in Business and Administration and will continue to receive support and encouragement from the council’s Parental Employability team along their journey towards sustainable employment.
Jamie Burns, Managing Director at Ailsa Reliability Solutions, has welcomed Sharon Hainey as his new Carbon Accounts Administrator and said: “We were very keen to get involved in the programme as it is giving parents a chance to get back into the workplace.
“The role is something that will be very beneficial to our business as we strive to be leaders in the race to net zero. This role could be key in achieving this within our business and across our customer base.
“Sharon is now starting to get a good understanding of our business and what our goals and ambitions are for the future. She is involved in Net Zero Accelerator Programme we deliver and is working on our carbon accounts spreadsheet. She is developing very well and will, hopefully, become of great value to the business.”
Sharon added: “When I heard of the opportunity, I had no idea what carbon accounting was! But I knew I was looking for something new and different, and I really wanted a role I could enjoy and possibly create a career in.
“The team at Ailsa have been so fantastic and supportive. They have welcomed me into their business and given me the tools to allow me to not only understand my role but progress within it. The training I have received is second to none and I feel I have found a home with Ailsa.”
The council’s Employability service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire team manages the Step into Sustainable Business programme.
Niall Wright, Bid and Marketing Manager at McLaughlin Construction, is delighted to have welcomed Arianne Telfer as their new recruit.
He said: “Having reached the end of our first year on the Net Zero Accelerator programme and having put in place McLaughlin Construction’s first fully compliant Carbon Reduction Plan, we were delighted to be given the opportunity to take on a carbon accounts administrator.
“We view this role as being critical for our continued improvement on our journey towards Net Zero and it’s a real luxury, especially as we start working with our supply chain and learn where our potential for improvement is, to have someone who can dedicate their time to it.
“Arianne has settled into our office brilliantly as a productive and enthusiastic team member, who proactively seeks out and takes on tasks, and has quickly embedded herself in the role of tracking our carbon related data.”
Arianne is enjoying her new job and said: “I was really looking forward to getting back into working life and learning new things, as a change from hearing "mum" being shouted every five minutes!
“On a more serious note, having worked in admin roles in the past, I was attracted by the opportunity to learn about carbon accounting, to gain real-life relevant skills and, hopefully do my bit to help make a difference".
North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.