Job and skills hub for Moray base

21 January 2011

A work and skills centre aimed at helping those affected by redundancies at RAF Kinloss is to be set up at the base site by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on behalf of the Moray task force.

The centre, is backed by a partnership of SDS, the Highland Employer Coalition, Jobcentre Plus, the Kinloss Skills Partnership and Career Transition Partnership.

Operated by employment and careers professionals, the work and skills club will be developed to help both military and civilian personnel who are likely to lose their jobs when the base closes. It will offer people practical support to get into employment or training.

Skills Development Scotland's area manager for Moray, Anthony Standing, explained: "We are working with our partners to ensure the hub will be able to provide premises, equipment, coaching support and guidance to help people make the transition from base-dependent employment into alternative careers or further training. The aim is to ensure help is available to everyone affected at RAF Kinloss.

"It will launch on January 31. In the first instance the club will be taking registrations, building relationships and gathering views from its prospective users and supporting agencies. The services that come on stream will evolve and develop based on the needs of service users over the coming months.

It is anticipated the hub will grow into a place where people can identify and analyse their personal skills, prepare their CVs, improve their interview skills, search for jobs and participate in training workshops.

"Task force partners hope the work and skills hub will become the centre for information on training and vacancies for the workers affected by redundancies at the base. We anticipate that it will take in vacancies from employers, provide a matching service for vacancies and even be a place where employers and potential applicants can get together," added Anthony.

Highland Employer Coalition director David Stewart said: "We are delighted to support such an important initiative. It is vital that we retain the variety and depth of the skills synonymous with the area, and match these to local employers with relevant job opportunities."

The centre has the backing of the RAF. Squadron Leader Gareth Jenkins, Officer Commanding Force Development Squadron at RAF Kinloss, said: "We are looking forward to working closely with Skills Development Scotland in order to make the work club a big success. This club will be for the benefit of all of us at Kinloss - be they military or civilian - who want to remain in Moray when their employment with the RAF, Civil Service or our contractors ends."

It's hoped the work club will be followed by similar initiatives for the whole community in Moray.

"We will working with our key partners with the aim of establishing community-based 'outwith the wire' clubs in Moray. We hope to identify community helpers who can bring their strengths into play to help Moray's economy move forward," said Anthony.

About Skills Development Scotland:
Skills Development Scotland is a key member of Moray task force which is supporting a community campaign to keep the RAF in Moray and to mitigate the effects to the area of the decision to cancel the Nimrod contract at RAF Kinloss. The task force combines private and public sector leadership, with representatives from SDS, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Moray Council, the community, and leaders of local businesses.