01 June 2020

Aberdeenshire Council Employment Support Team maintaining vital support services for residents

Aberdeenshire Council  Employment Support Team is still available to offer vital support to people in the North-east during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The council's central point for employment support, it coordinates the Aberdeenshire Employability Partnership which is geared to help people into work and training.

The EST assists anyone living in Aberdeenshire, who is actively seeking employment or looking to enter education or training to gain full-time or additional employment.

It can offer practical assistance if you are returning to the work market after an absence such as raising children or health issues or looking to retrain for a better job.

A trained Key Worker will provide one-to-one support and assess where you are in the job market, where would you like to be and help plan how we can help you get there.

Our Key Workers wanted to share some good news from one client who recently got in touch with the team at the beginning of March, just before lockdown measures were in place.

Here’s what Kevin* had to say about his experience:

“I’ve had a varied work history, but for the last five years or so I’ve wanted to work in the mental health sector. I didn’t think this would be possible for me because I didn’t have experience in health and social care. It felt very daunting and I personally didn’t think I would ever get to work in my dream job.

“When my last employment was terminated, I found it a struggle to find other work. I was applying for vacancies but often getting no response. When I went to the jobcentre, a flyer caught my eye and I asked about it. I was sceptical at first, but I attended a drop-in session and spoke to the Key Worker who was covering that week.

“She took my details and a brief background description. I then received a call from my main Key Worker who was very friendly, understanding and helpful. We agreed to meet at the next drop-in session. We covered my CV options and she sent me some reading information for working in mental health. This was very helpful and gave me a better insight into my dream job.

“Due to Covid-19, we couldn’t have the next session face-to-face, so instead my Key Worker gave me a call and we agreed on information to include in my CV. My CV was spot on and exactly what I’d hoped for. Throughout the entire process everything has been amazing.

“Communication has been the key - we had regular calls and emails about online learning and what to include in my job application. My Key Worker reassured me every step of the way. We worked on my personal statement, which for everyone can be daunting. The whole experience was exceptional, from the start to me now being in the job I dreamt of, I knew I could rely on my Key Worker. I was helped with interview skills and she pointed me in the right direction for learning and personal development. 

“I can honestly say if it wasn’t for my Key Worker and the help and support I’ve received, I probably would have given up and kept applying for jobs with no success. This was impacting my own mental health and I was becoming more depressed and anxious about the future. But with the help from my Key Worker, I didn’t just get any job - I got the job I wanted and had been dreaming of for years.

“All I can say is it’s been a very positive and exciting experience working with the Employment Support Team. There’s always help out there if you really want it.”

Throughout Covid-19 Key Workers are here to support you via, telephone, email, text or social media.  Along with employment support we can offer advice and access to free online training resources.

You can contact us about employment support by phoning us on 01467 534867 or 01467 532797 or emailing us at employmentsupportteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

*Name has been changed