Communities are benefiting from a pioneering employment initiative delivered by the voluntary sector in Scotland according to new research launched today (30 June 2010) by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

‘Future Jobs: Future Communities’ provides a snap shot of the impact of over 1,300 jobs created by the Third Sector Consortium which helps deliver the Future Jobs Fund in Scotland.

The Future Jobs Fund programme was set up by the previous UK Government to create up to 15,000 six month jobs for young people in Scotland.  All the jobs must have a community benefit above and beyond the benefit generated by an individual being in employment rather than claiming benefits.

Martin Sime, Chief Executive for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations says, “The research shows that a strongly held belief in supporting and providing opportunities for those in need allows the Consortium to deliver a unique employment experience that benefits both individuals and employers.

“It is a successful model for the future of public service delivery.  The Future Jobs Fund may be coming to an end but if the third sector, and society at large, is to step up to the challenge of coming years, it is critical that we consider how we support third sector employers to create career opportunities in the future.”

The Consortium is made up of 214 voluntary sector employers offering 2,187 socially useful jobs. It has already placed over 1,300 people into jobs that deliver a host of community benefits that include: helping to deliver more services to vulnerable people, increasing recycling, improving waste management, supporting climate change, involving more children in sport and supporting financial inclusion projects.

Earlier this month, the Third Sector Consortium received a Supplier Excellence Award from the Department of Work and Pensions in the category of Best Third Sector Supplier.

To download the full 'Future Jobs: Future Communities' report as a PDF, please click here.