The Impact of Skills for Life

Skills for Life helps parents move into work, sustain employment, and create brighter futures for their families. By supporting parents to increase household income and build long-term careers, the programme contributes to wider efforts to tackle child poverty and improve outcomes for children across North Ayrshire.

Delivered through partnership working between Working North Ayrshire, Ayrshire College, North Ayrshire Council services and local schools, the programme combines accredited learning, practical work experience and personalised employability support to help parents overcome barriers to employment and succeed in the workplace.

This year, 22 parents have already begun their Skills for Life journey, with 11 starting Clerical and Education Business Assistant placements and 11 entering Facilities placements within schools across North Ayrshire. A further 10 parents are preparing to begin their journey in the coming weeks.

The support begins long before a participant starts work. Parents attend information and Get to Know sessions where they can learn more about the programme, build confidence and prepare for employment. Participants are supported through workplace visits and interview preparation and receive Better Off in Work calculations, financial advice and guidance to help them understand the benefits of moving into employment. Support with childcare and transport costs helps remove practical barriers that can often prevent parents from accessing work opportunities.

For those entering Clerical and Education Business Assistant placements, Ayrshire College delivers the Digital Skills for the Workplace qualification, providing accredited learning and helping participants develop the skills required for today's workplace.

What makes Skills for Life particularly impactful is the support that continues once participants start work. Throughout their 26 week placement, parents receive dedicated workplace mentor support alongside regular one-to-one employability support. This ongoing engagement helps participants settle into their role, build confidence, develop workplace and prepare for future employment opportunities.

The programmes focus on sustained employment is already delivering results. Last year, 73% of participants sustained employment following their Skills for Life journey, demonstrating the value of combining practical work experience with continued in-work support.

For many parents, Skills for Life is more than a placement. It is a chance to gain qualifications, build confidence, overcome barriers, and create a more secure future for their family. By supporting parents into employment and helping them remain work, the programme is making a meaningful contribution to tackling child poverty and improving outcomes for families across North Ayrshire.

Find out how Working North Ayrshire can support parents by visiting our opportunities page.